By Satinder Bains
SAMANA: The tragic death of six schoolchildren in a road accident near Samana has become a flashpoint of public anger and a litmus test for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab. Nearly a month after the fatal collision, key accused remain at large, allegedly due to their political connections, sparking widespread protests and raising questions about the rule of law under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership.
The accident occurred on May 7 on the Patiala-Samana road when a school van carrying children collided with a speeding tipper truck. The crash claimed the lives of six children and left several others injured. Initial investigations revealed that the tipper was operating without a number plate and basic safety measures. Shockingly, the driver—Bhupinder Singh—was reportedly a minor.
Although police arrested the driver, two key individuals—the owner of the tipper and his business partner—remain absconding. Locals allege that the tipper is owned by the brother of a sitting AAP MLA from the area, a detail that has fueled public outrage and accusations of political shielding.
Grief Turns Into Protest
The funeral of the children was conducted under tight police protection as tensions ran high in the area. Since then, anger has only grown. Today, parents of the deceased and residents of Samana blocked the Samana-Patiala highway in protest, demanding immediate arrests and condemning the government's inaction. Protesters raised slogans of “Punjab Sarkar Murdabad” and “Justice for our Children.”
“No official from the state government or local administration came to speak with us. We have been abandoned, ” said a grieving father whose 7-year-old daughter died in the crash.
A local citizens’ committee has been formed to pursue justice for the victims and monitor the legal process. “This is no longer just a local issue. It’s a question of accountability and whether powerful people will continue to escape justice in Punjab, ” said committee member Rajdeep Singh.
Magisterial Inquiry Sabotaged?
Despite initial announcements by the administration, no magisterial inquiry has been conducted. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), who was to head the probe, was abruptly transferred before the inquiry could begin. The move has only deepened suspicions of a cover-up.
In an apparent damage control attempt, Deputy Commissioner Priti Yadav visited the protest site today. However, her arrival was met with silent resistance—protesters garlanded her with black flowers, a symbolic gesture of protest and disappointment.
Political Fallout
The tragedy has become a serious political embarrassment for the AAP government, which came to power promising transparency, swift justice, and an end to VIP culture. However, the Samana case has exposed glaring gaps in governance and a possible reluctance to act against politically connected individuals.
The opposition has begun to mount pressure. “This government acts swiftly against common people but shields its own when the law is broken, ” said a senior leader of a rival party.