Residents and local leaders from Purakhasia and neighbouring villages held a massive rally today to condemn the accidental deaths of two students in September that involved boulder-carrying, export trucks.
Local sources said that the rally saw the presence of more than 3,000 people from all walks of life, including Church elders, students, Nokmas, Sordars, local leaders and residents who came out to seek justice for the victims. The event was organised by the Purakhasia Peace Committee.
A meeting was held prior to the rally to discuss the situation wherein a decision to shut schools in the area tomorrow to condemn the incidents and mourn the deaths of the two students.
On September 12, a college student, Amsrang Marak, lost his life after his bike crashed into a dumper truck. On September 25, five-year-old Laksbath Sangma was killed after a speeding truck ran over him. Both deaths took place on the spot, with both in the village of Purakhasia.
“We rallied to protest and condemn the treacherous deeds of stone exporters for whom two young lives were lost. Their families are in grief and so are we,” said one of the committee members.
The protestors accused the state government of playing with the lives of innocent people through their policy allowing dumper trucks to ply through the road without checks in place.
“We are irritated and psychologically disturbed by events and ask the government to book those responsible for the deaths for the interest of people and to bring justice to the victims’ families,” they added.
The gathering also vented their anger at the state government for its failure to provide appropriate mechanisms to check high speeds and overloaded trucks damaging the road.
Blaming reckless driving that has been taking place by the dumpers, the residents sought stringent action be taken against violators and sought the installation of speed breakers to check speeding.
“If it is not checked, there will definitely be future incidents. We request the government to take action on this or we, the people of Purakhasia will not remain mute spectators. We will bring about stronger action and stand up together for our rights. The road is already deteriorating and the concerned department needs to enact immediate renovation,” they added.
