TURA: A truck was set ablaze by an angry mob on Tuesday night and police had a trying time in containing the irate mob after a scooterist was killed and two other pillion riders sustained serious injuries in a head-on collision near the commissioner of divisions’ office in Dakopgre locality of New Tura.
The incident took place at 7:30 in the night when three men coming from Araimile road in a scooty (ML08 E 6916) towards Dakopgre were hit by a speeding truck that was driven on the wrong side of the road.
The impact was so powerful that all three were flung from the two wheeler and Jini D Marak (35) of Rongkhon Songgital locality in Tura was killed on the spot.
His two companions on the scooter, Wilkan S Sangma (18) of Chengapara village in Purakhasia and Blestar G Marak (25) of Ampati were left unconscious and profusely bleeding from the collision. Both are in serious condition and under treatment at Tura civil hospital.
However, the driver of the truck ( ML08 A 9688) fled the scene immediately after the accident.
By the time police arrived on the scene and angry mob had gathered and soon set on fire the truck.
There was a tense standoff between police and the mob for close to three hours with stone pelting against security force personnel being perpetrated by some of the angry youth.
“We abstained from using force in controlling the gathering as it would have further escalated the situation. Instead emphasis was laid on protecting life and public property,” said West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police MGR Kumar.
He also denied rumours about police resorting to blank firing and expressed his appreciation to church leaders and social media activists who helped to dispel doubts and clear the rumours doing the rounds during the time of the incident.
It was around 12:45 at night that the last of the public dispersed from the area.
Meanwhile, police are on a search for the truck driver who caused the accident and fled the scene.
Truck movement to be restricted in Tura: In the face of Tuesday night’s rash driving by a trucker and frequent complaints of similar cases emerging in the last couple of weeks, the Tura police have decided to strictly enforce the rule restricting movement of trucks through the main thoroughfares of the town during peak hours.
Trucks will be allowed to move only from 8 PM onwards and up to 7 AM the next morning.
Over the last couple of months, dozens of trucks that ferry goods into Tura have been frequently found speeding through the busy thoroughfares of Tura during the evening hours causing concern to pedestrians and commuters alike.
The truckers were directed, some months ago, to adhere to the norms of movement after 8 PM but many had cited flimsy excuses to move out during the peak hours of traffic resulting in traffic congestion and endangering the public.