Garo Hills once again opened its hearts and pockets for the three victims injured in a horrific car crash in the village of Nongalbibra on Tuesday. The three victims, two of whom are children, are currently in Guwahati receiving treatment, with one of them said to be critical.
Aryan Sangma (7), Sengchi Sangma (15) and Badal Lama were injured in a crash when their vehicle hit a parked truck at about 11:30 pm in Pathargittim under Nongalbibra Police Station in South Garo Hills. The car crash led to the deaths of five others travelling in the vehicle, including the mothers of Aryan and Sengchi. The group was returning from the annual Song Krittan festival that was held in Nongalbibra.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the five victims were laid to rest today at the Pathargittim graveyard with friends and family being part of the funeral proceedings.
According to the latest update on the health of the injured, the condition of the seven-year-old is still critical despite an operation being conducted. Sengchi’s situation is a little better but she has suffered severe facial injuries and is still not fully out of danger. Lama, the driver of the ill-fated vehicle, is said to be responding to treatment.
Meanwhile, former MLA of Rongara-Siju, Rophul Marak, who was among the first to respond after the accident and took the three injured victims to Guwahati, informed that the situation was still not good for the children.
Marak has also appealed for help for the victims, as their families have no way of financing the treatment. The appeal led to many from Garo Hills coming forward and making contributions for the treatment of the three.
“We wanted to show our support to the families that are now struggling with their loved ones. What happened is extremely unfortunate and we pray that the injured recover quickly,” said members of the Dainadubi chapter of A’chik Indigenous Justice Initiative Forum (AIJIF) from North Garo Hills, who also made a contribution.
