School children using tyres to cross river in Madhya Pradesh

Ashoknagar (Madhya Pradesh), Aug 23(ANI): Following apathetic attitude of the administration in Madhya Pradesh's Ashoknagar district where there are no bridge or culvert over Kathon river, children of several villages are compelled to use automobile tyres to cross the river to reach their school.

The students say that often they face the danger of losing balance and falling in the river.

"We come to school using a rubber tube. Sometimes our bags get wet. We get wet and there is always the danger of falling in the river. We are always scared," said Ram Mani Sharma, a student.

While, a school teacher, Pratibha Jain, said that a few students had lost their lives while crossing the river, yet the administration has not paid attention to the plight of the children.

"Children come here to study from places 10 kilometres far away from this school. There is a river nearby. During the rainy season, children face a lot of problems. Children often fall in the river from the rubber tubes that they use for crossing the river. The administration does not pay any attention. Unfortunately, some children have died too," Jain said.

Repeated complaints from the parents and the elders of the villages have fallen on deaf ears, the District Collector refrained from making any comment. By Ashok Pal (ANI)