• Source:JND
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Jaisalmer School Slab Collapse: A six-year-old boy lost his life on Monday after a concrete slab supporting the main gate of a government school collapsed in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district. The incident took place in the Ramgarh area when students were leaving school.

The child, identified as Arbaz Khan, had come to pick up his sister when the slab fell. A teacher, Ashok Kumar Soni, suffered a leg fracture and was taken to the district hospital. Another young girl also received injuries to her head and face.

Following the incident, District Collector Pratap Singh Nathawat confirmed that the school gate was in poor condition. He stated that officials from the administration rushed to the spot after receiving the information. Immediate action was taken, including the suspension of the concerned Gram Vikas Adhikari, who had reportedly been informed earlier about the condition of the gate.

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"The family has suffered an irreparable loss. The government stands with them and the administration will provide all possible help under state norms," the Collector added.

Soon after the incident, Arbaz's family members and relatives staged a protest outside the school with his body, expressing their anger and demanding justice. Talks between the family and the officials are underway, said Officials.

Jaisalmer Superintendent of Police Abhishek Shivhare confirmed Arbaz’s death and stated that further investigation is ongoing.

The accident took place as students were finishing their classes, raising concerns about the safety of school infrastructure, especially during the rainy season.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed grief over the incident and called for urgent preventive steps. He highlighted the need for strict action to ensure children’s safety, particularly after a similar tragedy occurred just three days earlier in Jhalawar district.

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In Jhalawar’s Piplodi village, a section of a government upper primary school building collapsed on Friday morning while children were gathering for morning prayers. The collapse killed seven minor students and injured 28 others. Several of the injured were admitted to the ICU,and multiple surgeries were performed.

The Education Department suspended the headmaster and five teachers, including Meena Garg, Javed Ahmed, Ramvilas Lavanshi, Kanhaiyalal Suman and Badrilal Lodha, following the Jhalawar incident. Officials said the building, constructed in 1994 by the Panchayati Raj Department, had never undergone repairs and was weakened by recent rains.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Prem Chand Bairwa called the Jhalawar collapse deeply unfortunate. He said Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has reviewed the situation personally. The state has increased the school maintenance fund from 15 per cent to 20 per cent and started a complete survey of school buildings to prevent similar accidents in the future.