Gorakhpur: A five-year-old boy was killed after a school bus allegedly ran over him while he waited with his mother in the Pipraich area on Saturday morning, sparking angry protests during which villagers detained a teacher travelling in the bus and vandalised the vehicle.The incident took place around 8 am in Naiyapar Buzurg village, about 20 km from the district headquarters. The deceased, a Class I student of SD Public School in Chauri, was standing outside his house with his mother, when the incident took place.According to the family, the bus arrived at high speed and allegedly ran over the child before moving ahead. Villagers chased the vehicle and stopped it nearly 200 metres from the spot, but the driver managed to flee.Enraged residents detained a teacher travelling in the bus and damaged its windows. The protest continued for nearly three hours before police and administrative officials pacified the crowd.The injured child was rushed to CHC Pipraich, where doctors declared him dead.Following the incident, the family submitted a memorandum demanding ₹1 crore in compensation and a govt job for a family member.School manager Sunil Chauhan termed the incident unfortunate and said the management stood with the bereaved family. He claimed the child suddenly ran towards the bus and the driver could not see him.CO Chauri Chaura Kundan Singh said police received information about the accident at around 8.30 am. “The child was waiting for the school bus when the accident took place. Based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother, an FIR has been registered against bus driver Manoj, teacher Rani Mishra and the school management,” he said.Basic Shiksha Adhikari Dhirendra Tripathi, along with the block education officer, visited the spot and the school to gather details of the incident. During the inspection, the school’s recognition-related documents were found to be in order. However, the BSA found that the van did not have a conductor. He said the presence of a conductor could have prevented the tragedy.
