In the third such incident in recent months, an elderly woman was severely injured after a dumper truck struck her near the village of Purakhasia, leading to a public outcry.
The incident took place this evening when the dumper truck was on its way towards the export hub of Dalu in West Garo Hills.
Today’s incident comes close on the heels of a five-year-old boy being run over by a dumper truck and another youth being killed when he was hit by another such truck. Angry villagers had then demanded that such trucks be controlled or the situation could get out of control. Various rallies were also taken up by local residents over the incidents.
Today’s gory accident saw the woman’s legs crushed so severely that she may lose them entirely. She was rushed to the local hospital where her condition is said to be serious.
Following the accident, the vehicle and the driver were detained by the police of Purakhasia outpost.
Following the incident, angry villagers raised a protest at the site with roads being blocked. They later allegedly set the dumper ablaze, though there was no confirmation of this from the authorities.
West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Vivekananda Singh confirmed the injury to the woman, though he was unable to provide more information as a law and order situation was developing in the area around Purakhasia.
Police authorities later confirmed that the crowds had begun dispersing and the situation was slowly coming under control.
Meanwhile, the A’chik Association for Protection of Environment (AAPE) released a statement today called for action against speeding dumper trucks in Garo Hills, especially those operating on highways.
