Road accident injuring five schoolchildren triggers political row in Pravatipuram-OxBig News Network

Five schoolchildren among ten persons suffered injuries when an autorickshaw they were travelling in overturned near Narsipuram in Parvatipuram Manyam district on Tuesday (June 24, 2025).

The victims, all hailing from Pedapenki village in Balijipeta mandal, came to Parvatipuram to participate in a protest, demanding that the primary school in their village be allowed to continue. The accident occurred when they were returning to Pedapenki after submitting petitions to the officials concerned.

According to police, the autorickshaw, which was packed beyond capacity, overturned near Narsipuram.

The injured have been identified as Suresh, the autorickshaw driver; A. John, G. Chinnappadu, K. Ramanamma and Bhavani. The schoolchildren have been identified as Yashwantkumar, Lakshmi, Karteek, Kota Varshini and Harshavardhan.

All the injured were rushed to Parvatipuram Area Hospital.

Meanwhile, the inicident triggered a political row.

YSRCP former MLA Alajangi Jogarao, who participated in the protest, alleged that the NDA government was weakening primary education in remote areas of Parvatipuram-Manyam district on the pretext of lack of admissions.

A post made from the handle @syamgorle on the social media platform X claimed that two of the injured children were in a critical condition. He criticised that schoolchildren were made to participate in a political protest.

Lokesh expresses anguish

In response to the post, HRD Minister Nara Lokesh expressed anguish over the incident. “This is very cruel, even a crime..! I order the authorities to urgently complete the investigation and submit a report on this,” he posted on X.

“This unfortunate interference in schools should serve as a warning to political party leaders and officials. No matter which political party, please do not meddle with schools for your own interests. Do not play with the future of students. We will deal strictly with those responsible,” Mr. Lokesh posted.

He asked Parvatipuram-Manyam District Collector A. Shyam Prasad to submit a report on the incident. He suggested that options should be explored for the continuation of the primary school at Pedapenki village.

Meanwhile, Parvatipuram TDP legislator Bonela Vijayachandra alleged that YSRCP former MLA Alajangi Jogarao had forced the students to participate in the protest.