Govt orders judicial probe into students’ death

Balangir: The state government on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the two deceased in the Balangir incident on Saturday and Sunday.

It also announced to bear the hospital expenses of the injured persons.

Announcing the compensatory measures in Bhubaneswar, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said that the state government has decided to go for a judicial probe into the whole incident that would be conducted by a former judge of the Orissa High Court.

Meanwhile, in Balangir, a peace committee comprising representatives of various institutions and trade unions was held in the morning.

The meeting decided to appeal for peace in the town.

Among others Balangir MP Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo and district collector attended the meeting.

The district administration has decided to shift the private bus stand from the present place and stop plying of Vedanta heavy vehicles during day time, informed ADM Julius Lakra.

The district administration has also decided to remove the encroachments from road sides, besides improving the traffic and lighting system in the town.

It has also decided to construct a bypass to ease traffic congestion, he added.

Expressing profound regrets over the entire incident, Singhdeo described it as very unfortunate and demanded a proper inquiry into the incident.

Adequate compensation should be given to the victims’ family. I have asked the collector and IG to make a detailed survey on traffic in the town and suggest a comprehensive plan for infrastructure and manpower to regulate the traffic, he told reporters here.

Meanwhile, a delegation of students led by Chhatra Congress president Chinmay Sahu meet IG northern range and submitted a three-point-charter of demands.

The demands include arrest of the driver, compensation worth Rs 10 lakh to the deceased family and release of innocent students.

Contacted, IG Yogesh Bahadur Khurania told this paper that the accused driver has been arrested.