Punjab Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani Friday appealed to parents to stay alert when they go out with their children on roads so as to prevent accidents. Jayani, who was in Ludhiana to inaugurate a 30-bedded hospital in Koom Kalan division, also slammed parents who allow their teenage children to drive. He said, “Teenagers drive rashly, resulting in fatal accidents at times. They are often caught at nakas without papers and helmets. They fear getting challaned, but are not bothered about their lives.” When asked about private buses indulging in reckless driving, Jayani said, “No driver wants to kill anyone on road. He will try his best to save a commuter on road even if his own bus overturns.” On Thursday, a 10-year-old girl of Tarn Taran district was crushed to death by a bus of New Deep Transport, which is owned by SAD leader Dimply Dhillon. The incident happened on Zira- Makhu road in Ferozepur, 30 km away from the victim’s village Dyalpura. However, when it was pointed out that the girl was not driving any vehicle, Jayani said, “The police will dig out the truth. The driver must be punished if he was at fault.” A case under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC has been lodged against the driver, who is absconding. Meanwhile, Congress leader Inderjeet Singh Zeera, who had staged a dharna at the accident spot Thursday, said, “We have assured all legal help to the family of the victim. We also want to ensure that the driver of the bus does not get away.” Zeera has also demanded an investigation into the number of buses owned by New Deep Transport. According to him, the company runs buses illegally on unsanctioned routes to earn more money. In last one week, three cases of rash driving resulting in death have been reported.
