Even as the Mandi police continue their search operations for
retrieving the bodies of students of VNR college, a special police team
has been formed by the Himachal Pradesh government on Friday to probe
the reasons that led to the tragedy and whether it was a man-made mishap
or nature’s fury. The probe is being led by investigation officer (IO) and Aut (Mandi) assistant sub inspector Mohar Singh. Police
suspect that some of the students, who were proceeding from Shimla to
Kullu Manali, asked the bus driver to stop for nature’s call after the
bus reached the Shala Nala on the banks of Beas river near Thalout. The
driver reportedly stopped the bus and some students got down from the
bus to attend nature’s call. The students, however, were attracted by
the scenic Beas river and a mild water fall from Larji dam. The
mesmerising scene is what seems to have led the students to get into the
Beas river and pose for photographs. Mandi district SP RS Negi,
who is closely monitoring the search operations, told Express over phone
that there were many theories as to how the tragedy took place. ‘’As
of now, we are busy searching for the bodies. A special team led by ASI
Mohar Singh will probe into the case to find out facts whether it was a
man-made mishap or just nature’s fury. Once we finish the search
operations, we will investigate the case,’’ Negi said.
He,
however, added that if, during the investigation, the role of any person
surfaces, then stern action will be taken against the persons for
endangering life of students. Already, the police has registered a case
of negligence against the staff of Larji Project authority for releasing
water into Beas river. The SP said that they have temporarily
suspended search operation on Friday with heavy flow of water gushing
down from Larji dam after snow started melting in the upper reaches. ‘’I
directed dam authority to close all gates and not to release water on
Saturday and directed all teams to resume search operation from 7 am on
Saturday. It is very difficult to trace bodies in ice-cold water. Due to
severe cold, bodies might not float on water. Considering these
difficulties, we directed dam staff not to release water on Saturday,’’
Negi added. Aut police, however, recorded the statements of Ch
Aditya, who lodged a complaint a few days ago. In his complaint, he
stated that 65 students including faculty members of Vignan College,
Hyderabad were on a tour to Shimla. When they reached Shala Nala on the
bank of Beas river near Thalout, few student proposed to get down from
the bus and wanted to take photographs at Shala Nala. While taking
photographs, water released from Larji dam washed away 25 students.
By Mouli Mareedu
moulimareedu@gmail.com
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