I WAS passing through the West Ridge III Road, near the Army Public School, on the morning of Dec 3 when I saw a horrible accident take place. A small schoolgirl while trying to cross the road to reach school was hit by a car. Consequently, her leg was fractured. The girl will now be bed-ridden for a pretty long time.

The accident will certainly affect her mentally, emotionally and psychologically, thus making her permanently miserable for the rest of her life without any fault on her part. This is indeed a case of criminal negligence.

The school has many civilian guards and army jawans. However, none could help the girl cross the road on the day.

To prevent such accidents from reoccurring, the school administration would be well-advised to post guards on the road to regulate traffic at the time of opening and closing hours of the school. Children could be escorted to cross the road by forming small batches, as is the practice in all civilised countries. The police should also take notice of the accident if they have not already done so.

Parents should feel assured that their loved ones are in the safest possible hands. Simultaneously, the army should initiate an inquiry to nip such accidents in the bud.

NASEER U. AWAN     Islamabad