Language turns for TN school van tragedy: DMK says Gatman did not know Tamil; Urge to hire people who know the mother tongue. Bharat News
New Delhi: A fresh political angle has emerged in a tragic school van collision in Tamil Nadu, which claimed the lives of three students on Tuesday. The ruling Dravidan Munnetra Kazgam (DMK) has alleged that a language barrier has been contributed to the incident, claiming that the railway Gatman at the crossing did not understand Tamil.According to DMK, the lack of familiarity with the local language may have given rise to a significant communication lapse, resulting in a fatal accident. DMK spokesperson TKS Alangovan said, “There was already an accident here and the Railway Authority himself said that this was because the person did not know the Tamil language. He could not understand what he was told. The same thing has happened now. Therefore, it is always better in such important positions that people who know the local language should be posted so that it should be helped. This will save at least people.,The incident took place at around 7:45 pm when a school van tried to cross the railway level crossing gate number 170 between Kudalore and Alappakam. The van was killed by train number 56813 Villupuram-Milduthurai passenger.The van was thrown away from the crossing due to the collision. The loco pilot of the train managed to stop the train after some distance. Television footage revealed the vehicle of the severely damaged yellow school.Conflicting accounts emerged about the status of the gate. The southern railway retained, the crossing was closed, while the van driver requested to open to avoid delay. However, both the driver and an injured student were open.The incident resulted in four deadly, which initially included three students and later died in the hospital. The driver and another student were admitted to the Government Hospital, Kadalore/Zipper Pondicherry. The incident occurred about 190 km from Chennai.Preliminary investigation by Southern Railway indicated that the gate was closed when the van arrived. He said that the gatekeeper improperly allowed the crossing of the van, violating the protocol. Legal proceedings have started against the gatekeeper.The Southern Railway mentioned that an underpass project waits for the approval of the District Collector for the previous year. The injured students, Vishvesh and driver Shankar maintains that the gate was open and no train signal was heard.A viewer who assisted the victims suffered an electric shock due to damaged wiring and was admitted to the hospital. Southern Railway expressed regrets and announced compensation: Rs 5 lakh for deceased families, Rs 2.5 lakh for seriously injured and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced additional compensation: Rs 5 lakh for families of victims, Rs 1 lakh for serious injuries and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.Railway officials deployed a relief train with medical facilities. Senior officials including General Manager and Divisional Railway Manager monitored the rescue operations. The incident also damaged an overhead electrical mast.Various state officials including Governor RN Ravi, Deputy CM Udayanidhi Stalin, opposition leader Edappi’s Palaniswami and AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran expressed condolences.
