Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday declared that strict action will be taken against those found guilty in the gas leak incident that led to the hospitalisation of around 450 girl students in south-east Delhi’s Tughlaqabad.
Talking to the media after meeting some of the victims at Majeedia Hospital in Hamdard Nagar, Mr. Kejriwal also said that the district magistrate had been asked to investigate the matter.
“The Delhi government has asked the district magistrate to probe the matter. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty of negligence,” the Chief Minister said.
Most students discharged
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said most of the victims, who were hospitalised after they complained of irritation in their eyes and breathlessness, had been discharged. A few students were still under observation.
Mr. Sisodia further said that a team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences was carrying out a study on the medical impact of the gas leakage.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, blamed the school authorities for negligence.
“The gas had spread in the entire school complex before the students entered the premises. It was due to the negligence on the part of authorities that the school was not closed on time and the children had to suffer,” Mr. Gupta alleged.
High-level inquiry sought
He also demanded that the Delhi government order a high-level inquiry to ascertain whether the gas had leaked from nearby chemical factories, the container of the railway yard, or from any other area. Mr. Gupta further said that steps should be taken to prevent such accidents. He also sought a study on the gas leak. “Doctors should find out if the students affected by the gas leak will suffer in future,” he added.
Later, he visited ESI Hospital and Batra Hospital, where as many as 112 students were undergoing treatment. Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal also met the victims.
