The State Human Rights Commission on Wednesday suo-motu directed the state government to inquire into the incident of a school bus plunging into a stream in Chandrugonda mandal of Khammam district and submit a comprehensive report by April 10. The mishap had resulted in the death of eight children and 30 other students were injured.
Commission member K. Peda Peri Reddy gave the directions based on news reports that blamed the mishap on negligence by the school management. In the order, the Commission observed that the accident took place due to driving by an unauthorised person. It may be noted that the school bus was being driven by an attendant (cleaner) when it plunged into the stream while trying to avert a collision with a two-wheeler.
The Commission sought reports from the principal secretary of the school education department; the principal secretary of transport, roads and buildings department; the transport commissioner; the Khammam collector, the Khammam SP and the Khammam district education officer. The Commission further directed the authorities to examine the matter of suitable compensation to the victims by the school management, besides the compensation announced by the government.