Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 20: Hundreds of students of Padma Shri Padma Sachdev (PSPS) Government PG College for Women today staged a protest, boycotting classes and demanding a fair probe into the death of their fellow student Anjali Choudhary, who was killed after falling from a moving bus in Udhampur district.
Raising slogans outside the college, the agitating students briefly disrupted traffic before police shifted them inside the campus, where they continued their dharna seeking accountability and action against those responsible.
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Anjali, a fourth semester student of the college and daughter of Des Raj of Miran Sahib, died on April 16 when she fell from a bus near Jakhaini while the college group was on its way to Patnitop for a picnic.
She was rushed to District Hospital Udhampur, where doctors declared her brought dead.
The incident has sparked outrage among students and family members, who have alleged negligence on the part of the college authorities and the bus staff.
The protesting students blamed the college administration, teachers accompanying the trip, and the bus driver and conductor for the mishap.
They alleged that the bus door was not properly secured, leading to the tragedy.
One of the agitating students said the staff present in the bus failed to ensure basic safety, as they were seated in the front cabin and did not monitor the students.
“Had the door been properly locked, she would have been alive,” the student said, demanding strict action against those found responsible.
The students also rejected the version that the victim was dancing at the time of the incident.
They claimed Anjali had gone towards the front cabin to hand over some eatables and lost balance while returning to her seat after the door suddenly opened.
Some students further alleged that the driver initially tried to flee the spot but was later caught by police.
Meanwhile, a minor scuffle also broke out when police personnel, including women cops, tried to clear the road and restore traffic. The students were later persuaded to continue their protest inside the college premises.
The protesters demanded punishment for the erring staff and a transparent inquiry to fix responsibility.
They also sought direct intervention of the college Principal and justice for the bereaved family.
Later, Principal Dr Kulvinder Kour reached the protest site and assured the students that a proper inquiry would be conducted.
She expressed solidarity with the victim’s family and said accountability would be ensured.
Following her assurance, the students called off the protest.
Meanwhile, the family members of Anjali have also alleged negligence by the college authorities and the bus operator and demanded strict action.
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