SHILLONG: The police department has refuted the allegations of recent oil spill along the National Highway of Ri-Bhoi district asserting that heavy showers create a difficult situation for drivers who are not acquainted to driving in such weather condition.
The police were referring to an incident on April 14, which occurred at around 3 pm wherein a vehicle bearing registration number of Assam which was passing through Lad Sharai, Umiam, skidded off the National Highway and ended in a conduit. The driver of the vehicle Abdul Hannan informed about the matter to the officer of Umiam police station.
A statement from the police department said the same was verified by personnel of Umiam police station, who on inspecting the place of occurrence, found a sedan vehicle partially damaged. After the occupants of the vehicle sustained mild injuries, they were immediately sent for medical treatment at NEPA, Umsaw. The police said the allegation as made by Hannan regarding connivance of habitants of the area to intentionally spill lubricants along the highway will be examined as an in depth inquiry into the matter will be conducted.
However, the police maintained that prima facie the facts are diminutive to substantiate the allegation.
A preliminary enquiry was instantly initiated by Ri-Bhoi police into the accident attributing it to torrential downpour which adds to the predicament of drivers especially those who are not acquainted with the weather condition of the area.
According to the police, patches of vehicle lubricants which were alleged to be the reason of the mishap could not be descried due to the heavy downpour on the fateful day. The police further said the area is prone to accidents as the highway makes a sharp curve turning towards the east.
According to the police, there were efforts to tow the vehicle by a private recovery vehicle but the owner insisted on towing his vehicle by any government vehicle which was not available at that juncture. However, the matter was sorted out later.
A few months back, there have been media reports of allegations by commuters from Assam to Shillong of a “racket” involving private recovery vehicles involved in towing the affected vehicles to the road for a “hefty” amount of money.
Hannan posted a Facebook post alleging the same after his vehicle skidded to a ditch near Umiam on April 14 raising fresh concerns.