Twenty-one people were Killed and over 40 injured in three road accidents in Manipur on Monday.

The State government has announced an ex- gratia of Rs 2 lakh to each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condoled the deaths. He said the government would give all possible help to the bereaved families and free medicines and treatments to the injured.

12 bus passengers killed

Twelve Imphal-bound passengers were killed and over 25 wounded when their bus hurtled down a 500 metre deep gorge along the mountainous highway No 2 in Senapati district at 3:30 am on Monday. The injured were taken to hospital.

Hospital sources said the condition of several injured persons was critical. The bus left Dimapur in Nagaland on Sunday night and it was scheduled to arrive at Imphal on Monday morning.

While negotiating the wobbly mountain bridge at Chakumai ialong the NH 2, the bus driver lost control and the vehicle plunged in to the gorge.

Tribal people of Tadubi came out to help the injured persons. Policemen and troopers of the Assam Rifles also came out to lend a helping hand.

Ministers were instructed to visit the accident site and do the needful.

8 die as mini bus falls into gorge

In another accident that occurred at 12:20 p.m. on Monday along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway-37, eight people, including two women, were killed on the spot.

A mini bus, which was bringing 15 passengers from Jiribam to Imphal, plunged into a 300 metre gorge in the mountain. Six injured people were treated at a hospital in Imphal.

Truck driver killed

In yet another accident, a truck driver was killed on Monday morning at Maram in Senapati district not far from the place of the bus accident.

Governor Najma Heptullah has condoled the deaths.

Parliamentary secretary (Home) Y. Sushindro visited the accidents sites.