24 BEd aspirants fall into drain near exam centre after slab collapses, 4 injured

Kanpur: Around two dozen candidates appearing for the first shift of the B.Ed entrance examination at Prof. HN Mishra College of Education in MacRobertganj, Kanpur, fell into a drain after a dilapidated concrete slab near an examination centre suddenly caved in. Four candidates sustained injuries in the incident.According to reports, the candidates had gone to a nearby shop to get documents photocopied when the slab covering the drain collapsed under their weight. Hearing their cries, locals rushed to the spot and pulled them out of the drain. After cleaning up and changing clothes, all the affected candidates were able to appear for the examination.Four candidates sustained injuries in the incident, with two of them reportedly suffering fractures in their hands and legs.Holding the authorities responsible, the mother of one of the injured candidates said the accident occurred due to negligence and a preventable lapse. “Fortunately, there was no major loss of life,” she said.She added that the incident had badly shaken her daughter and affected her state of mind before the examination. “We comforted her and encouraged her to appear for the test with a positive mindset,” she said.Khushi, a candidate from Awas Vikas Hanspuram in Naubasta, Kanpur, alleged that examinees were informed at the examination centre on Sunday morning that they needed to submit a photocopy of their Aadhaar card. The announcement triggered a rush to a nearby photocopy shop, where a large number of candidates gathered.According to her, the concrete slab covering the drain outside the shop suddenly collapsed under the crowd's weight, causing around 20 to 25 people to fall into the drain. She blamed the Kanpur Municipal Corporation for the incident, saying the collapse of the slab reflected serious negligence and raised concerns about public safety.Amit, who had accompanied his sister to the examination centre, said candidates were unexpectedly asked to arrange photocopies, prompting many of them to rush to the nearby shop. “As people gathered there, the slab gave way and the accident happened. I also suffered a scrape on my knee and a cut on my hand,” he said.Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said the drain was old and the matter has been brought to the notice of the authorities concerned.He added that police and local authorities promptly assisted those affected. Candidates who were scheduled to appear for the examination were helped and escorted to their respective centres, while one guardian was taken to a hospital for medical attention,” he added.Police said despite the disruption, the BEd entrance examination was conducted as scheduled across 19 centres in the city under tight security arrangements.