Under-construction wall of school collapses, two dead

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 5

Two persons, including a woman, died after an under-construction wall of a government school fell on them in tthe Dam Ganj area here late Saturday evening after high-velocity winds and rain lashed the city.

While Satpal (38) died on the spot, Kiran Rani (60) died at a hospital.

Medical Education and Research Minister on Sunday visited the families of the deceased and assured the family members and residents of holding a probe, besides giving a Rs 4-lakh compensation to the deceased’s kin.

According to information, a wall was being constructed on the upper portion of a government school. On Saturday evening, high-velocity winds followed by rain lashed the city and led to the fall of the wall towards two adjoining residences. Satpal was in the bathroom while Kiran Rani was on the doorsteps of her house when a portion of the wall fell. Both sustained serious injuries. They were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared Satpal brought dead. Kiran succumbed to her injuries late in the night.

Residents alleged that they had opposed the construction. They demanded a probe into the incident. Minister Soni also announced Rs 50,000 from his pocket to each family. The minister assured a government job to the daughter of Satpal after she turns 18.

Soni was accompanied by Police Commissioner Sukhchain Singh Gill, Deputy Commissioner Shivdullar Singh Dhillon and Additional Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Agarwal, among other officials.

Meanwhile, many trees were uprooted by the high-velocity winds. Fire incidents were also reported in old vegetable market near Hall Gate and at garbage dump near Bhagtanwala grain market.