The South West Khasi Hills unit of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) has requested the district administration to provide ex-gratia payment to the family members of the six people who died when the vehicle they were travelling in was carried away by the strong flow of the Tihiang River last week.
Eight people were travelling in the ill-fated jeep that was swept away by strong currents brought about by inclement weather last Tuesday. While two managed to swim to safety, six lost their lives in the swollen river. The tragic incident was brought about when the jeep they were travelling in had to drive across through the river as parts of the bridge had been washed away.
The members of the KSU led by its unit president Forwardman Nongrem today met Deputy Commissioner Caramai Kharkongor and said that it was a matter of exigency for those in the vehicle to travel despite the bad weather, so their families should be awarded compensation.
It was earlier this year that the bridge was destroyed, which has forced villagers in the area to plunge through the waters of the river.
“In order to obviate any mishaps in future, we (the KSU) therefore, would like to request your office to intervene and improve the maintenance and repair of the culvert so that it does not wash away again in future,” the union said in a letter they submitted.
The KSU also thanked the DC for her efforts in response to natural disasters that have affected the district.
