Assam: Section 144 imposed in Silchar after violence over mishap

GUWAHATI | NOV 1, 2019:

In Silchar, Section 144 has been imposed after protesters hit the streets against an accident that took place on Wednesday, they also ransacked some vehicles and staged a blockade in state.

The protesters went on the rampage after a speeding truck ran over two women, who were part of a Kali Puja immersion procession in Meherpur. Twenty-three people were also injured in the accident on Wednesday evening.

Cachar district magistrate Laya Madduri issued a notification, imposing restrictions across the district. "This is to contain rumour, breach of law and public tranquility, safety of people and prevent possible clash and violence between groups," the notification said.

Sources said students and youth turned up in large numbers during the protest at the Rangirkhari tri-junction near Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose's statue, bringing traffic to a standstill. In the meantime, sporadic violence and stone-pelting erupted at many places. Miscreants ransacked an ASTC bus and a luxury car at the Hospital Road locality of the town.

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Shopowners pulled down shutters, even as the protesters demanded action by the deputy commissioner in the incident.

Police forcefully removed the blockade at 2.30 pm. Additional superintendent of police (headquarters) Jagadish Das said a few troublemakers were booked for vandalising cars and efforts are on to restore peace in the area. He urged everyone to
maintain peace and harmony and cooperate with the police and the administration in bringing the situation under control.

A speeding truck had on Wednesday evening ran over several members of a Kali Puja immersion procession, killing two girls on the spot, and injuring several others, many of whom are reported to ve in a critical condition. Irate locals torched the truck and put up a blockade on the busy road, which connects Silchar Medical College Hospital. People question how the truck managed to enter into the town area before 11 pm well before no-entry was in force.

A senior police officer said, the poppy-laden truck was on its way to Silchar via NH-306 (Silchar-Aizawl Road). However, when it hit a pedestrian in Aulia locality, locals chased the truck. The speeding vehicle rushed towards Meherpur via Rangirkhari by ignoring the no-entry barriers. At around 8.15 pm when police chased the vehicle to catch hold of it, the truck ran over an immersion procession.

Eye witnesses said at least 150 people of all ages, including women and children were part of the procession, which also had three vehicles as part of it.

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Soon after the accident, locals rushed to the spot and sent the injured to Silchar Medical College Hospital. Sources said two persons, identified as Pompa Dey (20) and Sonali Das (18), both residents of Durgapally, died in the hospital.

Following the incident, locals torched the truck and when a fire tenders was rushed to the spot, they started pelting stones, preventing them from dousing the flames. They also set a motorbike owned by the officer-in-charge at the Rangirkhari police outpost on fire.

According to eyewitnesses, in the melee, miscreants looted the poppy seeds from the truck.

Police rushed to the spot to control the situation. However, three fire tenders, which were stranded at Kathal Road point,
managed to reach the spot only at 10.15 pm under tight police security and doused the fire. Police arrested the driver and the assistant driver of the truck. Two policemen have been suspended for their negligence in duty, said an official.

Source: TOI