Mokokchung, July 2 (MTNews): In a tragic road accident, five people were killed and three others were injured after the taxi carrying them was hit by a truck in Chumoukedima district on Saturday. The taxi was travelling to Kohima with 8 passengers when the truck, reportedly in the wrong lane, hit the side of the taxi. The truck driver reportedly tried to flee from the scene but was intercepted by the police escort party of Nagaland Deputy CM who were on their way back to Kohima after dropping Y Patton at the airport.
According to Dimapur Police,the tragic incident took place in Kukidolong area at around 10:00 AM. “At around 10:01 hrs telephonic info was received at Traffic Control Chumoukedima to the effect that an accident had occurred between an EECO Van and a Tata Truck at Kukidolong area near Jharnapani. Immediately duty party led by the duty officer rushed to the place of occurrence (P/O),” ADCP Dimapur Police said in an update. On reaching New Chumoukedima area, duty party found that the fleeing driver and the truck were intercepted by a team of police escort of the Dy. CM Nagaland after a hot chase, the Police update said. “The driver and the truck were taken into custody immediately,” it added.
On reaching the place of occurrence of the accident, it was ascertained that a Regional Taxi EECO Van bearing Regt. No. NL07T 0757 was hit by a TATA truck bearing Regt. No. MN01AA 0272 which was coming down from Imphal, Manipur.Three persons, all male, were found dead on the spot while the injured were rushed to CIHSR where two more persons, both male, succumbed to their injuries. Three others injured (all male), including the driver of the ECO van, are currently undergoing treatment at CIHSR. In this connection a case has been registered and further investigation is being taken up, the police update said.
Negligence of the state government responsible for loss of lives: NPCC
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee while condemning the “rash driving” that resulted in the accident that killed 5 people, said that “Such rash driving has no excuse particularly when one side of the highway is often used for two-way traffic.” It said that the negligence of the state government in monitoring and completing the 4 lane road coupled with NHAI’s painful pace of progress is responsible for the loss. “What is the unreasonable delay in completion of the project?” it asked.
NPCC further said that lack of signage alerting travelers of oncoming traffic is also responsible for multiple mishaps. Adequate compensation should be given to the next of kin of the deceased and also to the injured, NPCC added.
Thank you for your help and this post. It’s been great.