Bus-train collision rises to 8, more compensation demanded

One of the injured student Ashish Kumar died on way to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), raising the toll to eight, District Magistrate Gopal Meena said.

Seven students, including two women, were killed and over 30 injured when the Bagh Express rammed into a bus of the DAV Engineering College at a manned level crossing in Siwan district sparking protests by students who had also tried to torch the train, but the police thwarted the effort.

Today, over 100 students gathered at the JP Chowk under Town police station and raised slogans demanding hike in compensation to those killed and injured in the accident.

Railway Minister C P Joshi had announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs one lakh each for the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 to those who suffered minor injuries.

The protesters also forced closure of shops during the demonstration, the sources said, adding DIG (Saran range) Alok Kumar and District Magistrate Gopal Meena went to the spot and talked to the agitators.

"The students returned to the campus after being assured that their demands would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities. The situation in Siwan town was under control," Meena told PTI.

Union Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniappa visited the PMCH late last night to enquire into the condition of the critically injured students.