SHILLONG: The State Government is yet to pay compensation to the victim Wanbok Syiem (28) who was killed by the convoy of the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma during an accident on April 20 in Ri-Bhoi.
Moreover, though the driver of the Ambulance which hit the victim was arrested, he managed to secure bail and the probe is still on.
In reply to an un starred question by James Sangma (NPP), the Chief Minister said, “Compensation has not been paid to the family members of the deceased”.
The incident took place on April 20 when Chief Minister was proceeding towards Nongpoh-Guwahati from Shillong along with a convoy of eight vehicles including Umiam PS vehicle ML-02-2862 (Gypsy) escorting from the rear and travelling at approximately around 70/80 Kmph. The written statement of the Chief Minister said that on reaching Sumer, G S. Road, NH40 at around 7.30 pm, the pedestrian Wanbok Syiem of Sumer, G S. Road, who was carrying almirah and benches with protruding part of the furniture suddenly crossed the road without taking proper care and precaution for his safety and security and came in front of the Ambulance no. ML-01 -6451 (Bolero) that was part of the carcade and followed from behind by the escort Gypsy of the convoy of Chief Minister, According to the statement, the driver of the Ambulance on seeing the pedestrian and in trying to avoid hitting him-swerved the speeding Ambulance to the right side hitting the protruding part of the benches carried by the pedestrian resulting in damage to the vehicle and injuries to Wanbok
The statement further said that immediately the injured person was taken to Shillong Civil Hospital for treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries on April 21 morning.
The official statement also claimed that during an inquiry by the Officer-in-Charge of Umiam Police Station, who was also escorting the Chief Minister from the rear, “it was revealed that the cause of accident was due to the fault of the deceased himself who without taking care and precaution for his own safety, crossed the road negligently leading to the accident”. According to the statement, E. Syiem, who is the sister of the deceased lodged an FIR against the driver of the ambulance.”Based on the FIR, Officer-in-Charge Umiam police station registered a case under Umiam police station and it is presently under investigation. The driver of the involved Ambulance was arrested and released on bail,” CM added.