MARGAO: The failure of the government to settle the demands of the striking Balrath employees has compelled the students to put their lives at risk. A video of children of a Margao-based school travelling dangerously in a goods carrier rickshaw in the commercial capital went viral on social media on Tuesday.
The incident has raised several questions pertaining to students’ safety.
It has been revealed that several students, mostly from poor families, are finding it tough to attend school on time and to return home safely.
The viral video shows a group of students of the Holy Spirit Institute, Margao travelling in a goods carrier rickshaw.
A few students were found clinging to the vehicle dangerously, risking their lives on their way back home.
The school management said that several students, whose parents cannot afford private vehicles, are travelling with their neighbours and taking lifts from unknown persons to reach home.
Taking serious note of the viral video, Gautam Salunke, Police Inspector, Traffic Cell-Margao, and Esmeralda Fernandes, Headmistress of Holy Spirit Institute appealed the students not to risk their lives by travelling in such vehicles.
“It is shocking to hear that students are travelling in good carrier vehicles in absence of Balrath buses and risking their lives. At the same time, we understand the difficulties faced by the parents of those students who are financially unsound,” said Esmeralda.
She said that many are missing the portion as they remain absent in the absence of a transport facility and that too at the time when exams are approaching.
“We appeal to the government to resolve the issue of the Balrath employees at the earliest by keeping in mind the difficulties faced by the student community and their parents,” she urged.
Gautam Salunke, PI, Traffic Cell-Margao said that it is risky to travel on a good carrier rickshaw.
“Parents need to see to it that their kid is safe while travelling. Students should also not opt for a transport facility that has no safety,” he appealed.
