NAROWAL: The affected family, whose eight members were killed in a road accident on Nov 30, with the residents of the area, protested against the district administration on Wednesday for the second consecutive day.

They blocked New Lahore Road and closed two-way traffic.

Three days ago, eight members of the family were among 13 people killed in a collision between a bus and a van on New Lahore Road. The collision triggered fire in the van when its LPG cylinder exploded. Protesters said that the accident occurred due to the incompetence and negligence of the district administration.

“I had two sons and both have died in the accident while my wife has also been admitted to Mayo Hospital in critical condition,” cried Mohammad Shahid.

He called LPG cylinders on vans just another type of bomb and demanded that the government make appropriate plans to remove LPG cylinders from passenger vehicles. He said the Punjab government should launch a special campaign to prevent future horrific accidents and take action against the drivers who installed LPG cylinders in passenger buses and vans.

Muhammad Ali, who escaped from the burning passenger van, said he broke the glass of the van and got out. He said it was unfortunate that the passenger van caught fire in the accident. “If passersby who were making videos had tried to rescue trapped people, my family members would have been alive now,” he said.

Protesters demanded action against the RTA secretary, traffic police and civil defense officials.

Protesters accused the district administration officials of never checking passenger vehicles. They said that gas was being refilled in van cylinders across the district.

Deputy Commissioner Zahar Hassan said that a crackdown had been started on illegal refillers of LPG cylinders across the district. He said the assistant commissioners of Narowal, Zafarwal and Shakargarh had been directed to take stern legal action against the drivers using LPG cylinders without any discrimination.

District Police Officer Hafiz Wahid Mahmood said that police registered 17 cases against LPG cylinders-installed vehicles. He said the entry of LPG cylinder vehicles had been banned in Narowal district.

He said that all passenger vehicle owners must keep fire extinguishers in vehicles. He said that bus and van stand managers have been directed to stop LPG cylinder vehicles.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2020