Six of train-bus accident victims 'critical'

Moga, Dec 15 (UNI) Three of the injured in yesterday's train-mini bus accident were today shifted from Jagraon Civil Hospital to Ludhiana DMC in critical condition, Moga Deputy Commissioner Satwant Singh Johal said.

"Now there are six injured in the Ludhiana hospital and all are in critical condition," Mr Johar said adding that the other six injured still lying in Jagraon Hospital were out of danger.

The DC said that all the eight school children of Chuharchak village who were killed in the accident were cremated last evening in the presence of thousands of people and senior district officials.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today directed the Deputy Commissioner to hand over ex-gratia grant of Rs one lakh each to the families of yesterday's train-mini bus accident victims.

"The entire amount of Rs 16 lakh would be distributed within twenty four hours among families of 16 victims, " Mr Johal said.

The DC said he had also received the direction of the Chief Minister to provide Rs five lakh to meet the expenses of the injured.

Mr Johal said the Chief Minister had placed Rs 21 lakh at his disposal when he had come here to condole the families of the victims.

earlier this morning, Punjab Education Minister Upinderjeet Kaur visited the families of the eight deceased students to offer her condolences. She also announced ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to each of the family and an additional Rs 2,000 towards cremation expenses for each of the children.

UNI