Steady progress has been made in the investigation regarding the tragic accident that occurred in Sungkomen Ward, Mokokchung on the evening of 15 August, which claimed the life of Yangerlong, a local teenage resident. Two individuals have been identified as the accused in the case, and updates regarding their legal status have emerged.
According to sources within the police department, both accused parties were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Motor Vehicles Act. The charges include IPC sections 279 for ‘Rash driving or riding on a public way’, 336 for ‘Act endangering life or personal safety of others’, 304(A) for ‘Causing death by negligence’, and also section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act for ‘dangerous driving’. The police have categorized these offenses as bailable, which resulted in one of the accused being released on bail.
However, regarding the “main suspect,” who was reportedly the bike’s driver involved in the accident, the police made the decision to transfer him to the Wokha Police Station on 17 August, citing concerns about the safety and security of the accused and for safe custody. This transfer followed a gathering of a large number of local residents at the Mokokchung police station who demanded that the accused be handed over to them. The transfer was executed to ensure the accused’s safety and prevent any potential threats to his well-being.
The police have said that statements from approximately 7 to 8 witnesses have been recorded. Despite the progress made, the case remains under active investigation.
The main suspect, now under the safe custody of Wokha Police Station, has been remanded to judicial custody for a duration of 15 days. The police said that the accused is not yet represented.
It may be recalled that circumstances surrounding the unfortunate accident on 15 August in Sungkomen Ward remained shrouded in uncertainty regarding whether the accident involved a car, a bike, or both.
As reported in this newspaper earlier, eyewitness accounts had presented conflicting details, leaving investigators puzzled about the sequence of events. Some accounts suggested that the victim was struck by a bike initially, followed by being run over by a car.
The driver of the car involved in the accident voluntarily surrendered to the authorities and admitted to running over the teenager. He had earlier rushed both the victim and the bike rider to the hospital. However, crucial details remained uncertain, as it was yet to be established whether the teen’s unfortunate demise resulted from being run over by the car or the prior accident involving the bike.