M A I N   N E W S

16 killed, 50 hurt in mishap
Our Correspondent

Shimla, February 24
At least 16 persons were killed and 50 others injured when a private truck (HP-08-0811) fell into a ‘khud’ at Piotra village in the Chopal area, 95 km from here, today.

Seventytwo persons were travelling when the mishap occurred. The truck was carrying villagers from Shantha to Nerwa for an election rally. Two rallies were scheduled to be addressed at Nerwa, one by the Union Minister for Shipping, Mr Shatrughan Sinha, and the second by an Independent candidate, Mr Subash Manglait.

While 38 injured were admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical Hospital, Shimla, the rest were being treated at Nerwa. The deceased include Nathia Ram of Poshala village, Mast Ram of Janjan village, Parma Nand of Bamti village, Ganga Ram of Dwada village, Chet Ram of Charath village, Reena of Janog village, Kaludin of Kyarala village, Ghaldaudin of Kyarala village, Ali Sheikh of Kyarala village, Narayan Singh of Fawa village, Naresh of Janog village, Jagat Singh of Bijmal village and Jayant Thakur. 

Dr Suraj Bhan, Governor, and Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, have expressed shock at the accident.