Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Oct 24: Ex-union minister B Janardhan Poojary disbursed relief at the rate of Rs 30,000 per family, to 11 families affected by the tragic accident in which a school bus had plunged into the river on August 14 this year. Seven students and four others had died in the tragedy.

"This amount is being handed over on behalf of Kudroly Sri Gokarnanath temple and Ullal Dargah. On behalf of the Dargah, Kanachur Monu has contributed the amount, in association with the Muslim Central Committee. We want to assure through this gesture, that we are with the affected families," Poojary said, after handing over the relief to the families.

Poojary used the occasion to criticize the state government for not repairing the roads in the district, which are full of potholes. The previous coalition and the present government have neglected roads. Ulaibettu tragedy occurred because of bad roads," he stressed.

Local people tried their best to save the children at the time of the tragedy, forgetting the differences of caste and religion; he noted and thanked everyone who took part in the rescue operation.

Ullal Dargah Committee president Kanachur Monu said that the families were given Rs 10,000 each on behalf of the Dargah. He promised to meet the entire expenditure required for repairing the school bus that was damaged in the accident.

Muslim Central committee president K S Mohammed Masood, ex-MLA K Vijaykumar Shetty, Krishna Amin, Moidin Bawa, Francis Cutinho and other dignitaries were present.