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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Snake bite kills three minor girls

Three hurt at a school in Gadchiroli run by a Congress leader AI generated image Mumbai: In a horrifying tragedy at the dead of the night, three minor tribal girls were killed and at least three others seriously injured after a venomous snake slithered into their hostel and bit the sleeping students of an aided residential ashram school near Dhanora, officials said. The incident, which has sent shockwaves in tribal belts across the state, occurred around 2 am today at a school linked with a...

Snake bite kills three minor girls

Three hurt at a school in Gadchiroli run by a Congress leader AI generated image Mumbai: In a horrifying tragedy at the dead of the night, three minor tribal girls were killed and at least three others seriously injured after a venomous snake slithered into their hostel and bit the sleeping students of an aided residential ashram school near Dhanora, officials said. The incident, which has sent shockwaves in tribal belts across the state, occurred around 2 am today at a school linked with a former Congress leader Marotrao S. Kowase’s Kupar Lingo Educational & Cultural Development Research Institute (KLECDRI). The school is located in the remote forested village of Japtalai, around 10 kms from the Dhanora taluka headquarters. Officials said at that time, around 80 girls were asleep on the floor when the snake sneaked in and bit at least six of the girls, sparking panic and outcry as the staff members rushed there. Three of the victim girls succumbed to the snake venom, and at least three others are reported to be critical, battling for life at the Gadchiroli District General Hospital – with the tragedy happening just a day after the World Tribal Day (09) celebrations. The deceased minor girls were identified as: Anu Koreti, 8, of Class II; Deepika Lakda, 12 of Class VI and Sushmita Mondal, 14, of Class VIII. Victim to Nagpur Among the injured is Deepa B. Madavi, 11, of Class V who is critical and she was flown in an air-ambulance to Nagpur’s GMC Hospital for advanced medi-care, said Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police M. Ramesh. Two other girls who are still in a serious condition are put on anti-venom treatment, and more than a dozen other frightened girls have been kept under observation as a precaution, informed the hospital’s medico Dr. Manish Meshram. Despite repeated attempts by ‘The Perfect Voice’, the head of the KLECDRI, Kowase, a four-time MLA and one-term MP and an ex-MoS for tribal affairs was not available for comments on the mishap at the ashram school. Govt to Probe The incident sparked outrage with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and district Collector Avishyant Panda ordering an inquiry to ascertain how the reptile could have entered the hostel premises, whether protective and preventive measures were in place and if the school authorities had complied with prescribed safety norms. A comprehensive inspection of the safety arrangements at the school will also be undertaken by the local administration and the Tribal Development Department, and if lapses are found action will be taken against those responsible. The hospital has been directed to ensure that there is no deficiency in the treatment of the injured victims, Panda told media-persons. Co-Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli, Ashish Jaiswal has asked the district and medical authorities to ensure all necessary support and medical assistance to the students. He said further action would be taken after the TDD submits its probe report into the incident. Wadettiwar Slams Congress Legislature Party Leader Vijay Wadettiwar targeted the state government saying it must ensure the cleanliness of the hostel, regular inspections, and snake prevention measures. If this responsibility is not fulfilled, it is not mere negligence, but a serious carelessness that has led to the deaths of three innocent lives. “We don't need festivals, announcements, and speeches in the name of tribals; save their children's lives! Immediately investigate the Japtala incident, take strict action against the guilty, and the government must give an account of the deaths of these three innocent girl students,” demanded Wadettiwar, elected from Brahmapuri assembly seat in the Gadchiroli-Chimur LS constituency. The incident has raised questions about the safety and preparedness at such residential ashram schools intended to protect vulnerable tribal kids, while the grieving families are left wondering how a poisonous snake entered the hostel.

Cockroaches to throng Pune tomorrow

 

Mumbai: After a sensational debut in New Delhi, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will launch its first protest in Maharashtra in Pune on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over what it describes as the growing crisis in India's education system.

 

CJP Founder-President Abhijeet Dipke announced the agitation on Monday with a terse welcoming message: “Let’s meet in Pune! Hail Maharashtra!”

 

The peaceful protest, under the hashtag #EducationMinisterMustResign, will be held near the Savitribai Phule Pune University campus on June 11 at 4 p.m. Aking to Jantar Mantar (New Delhi), a large turnout of students and young people is expected, judging by trends on social media.

 

Dipke has also declared that the CJP is indeed a political movement, despite emerging from online satire. He says the organisation draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and Bhagat Singh.

 

He also announced that he will not return to the United States and intends to continue building the movement launched in mid-May.

 

“Maharashtra is the most progressive state, and many public movements have begun here. Accountability must be fixed; otherwise, the system cannot improve,” Dipke said.

 

Dipke reiterated that unless Pradhan quits by Saturday, CJP activists would hit the streets with further protests. He stated that the CJP would be built into a national movement after consultations with its young leadership team and supporters across the country.

 

Addressing the issue of unemployment, he noted that nearly 50 lakh graduates enter the job market every year, while only about 20 lakh secure meaningful employment.

 

“What happens to the rest? The support we received in New Delhi and elsewhere clearly proves that the issues we have raised are on the dot and resonate with young people. Unless we speak up and ask questions about our concerns, these problems will never be solved,” he pointed out.

 

As support for the CJP and Dipke continues to grow, several political parties and non-political figures and organisations, including Shiv Sena (UBT), activist Anjali Damania and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk, expressed solidarity with the campaign.

 

“Anyone who supports our cause is welcome. Those who are genuinely concerned about the future of India’s youth are standing with us,” Dipke said, in what is construed as a swipe at many national political parties preferring a wait-and-watch attitude.

 

On the Saturday protest in New Delhi, Dipke said that the youth and Gen Z are no longer afraid of the government which has not lived up to their expectations.

 

“It has failed us. Opportunities and jobs are not being created for young people. What option do they have except to raise their voices? Unless we raise our voice, ask questions and seek accountability, the system will not improve,” he said grimly.

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