A late night incident in Mendipathar bazar led to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel escaping injury after a car tried to run them over. However, while dealing with the incident a passenger in the car was accidentally shot by the CRPF troops.
Yesterday, at around 11:30pm, a patrol was undertaken by forces of Mendipathar police station and CRPF personnel in the bazar when an Assam-registered white car (AS 01AM 7750) came along at high speed while being driven in a “rash and negligent manner”.
The car, according North Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Pawar Swapnil Vasantrao, tried to run over the CRPF personnel who were seated outside a shop.
“Seeing the imminent danger, the CRPF personnel ran from the spot to save their lives and then approached the vehicle,” Vasantrao informed. “However, the driver again moved/accelerated the vehicle in an attempt to run over and escape. During the incident, on apprehension of danger and on suspicion of being attacked by criminals, the duty party tried their best to stop the said vehicle, but the vehicle tried to escape.”
In “self-defence”, one of the CRPF personnel cocked his rifle and tried to open the door of the car. Again the driver accelerated and the trooper’s gun went off, hitting the passenger, who was identified as Neobirth R Marak (28) of Thapa Darenchi in North Garo Hills.
Marak was injured in the thigh and he and the driver of the vehicle, Sengrim K Sangma (also of Thapa Darenchi) were taken to the local primary health centre for treatment.
According to the medical reports, both were found to have been drinking alcohol prior to the incident. Sangma had a high blood alcohol content level, amounting to 1.9 grammes per litre. A large number of beer bottles and cans were found in the vehicle.
