NEHU Accident Fallout
From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, Nov 19: The Ri-Bhoi Police has appealed to the state government to classify drunken driving as a cognizable and non-bailable offence, following a disturbing incident that left two North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) students seriously injured in Shillong.
In a strongly worded public statement posted on social media, the Ri-Bhoi Police, while condemning the act of drunken driving, expressed deep anguish and anger over the recent accident.
It said that “words are not enough” to convey their pain, and extended heartfelt prayers for the full recovery of the two injured students, urging the public to join them in wishing for their healing.
Calling drunken driving an act that “has no place in a civilised society,” the Ri-Bhoi Police denounced anyone who chooses to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
They stressed that such reckless behaviour endangers innocent lives and cannot be tolerated under any circumstance.
As part of their proposed measures, the police urged the government to empower law-enforcement agencies to send offenders directly to jail for a minimum of three months and impose a lifelong driving ban on those found guilty.
It asserted that individuals who drive under the influence of alcohol “do not deserve bail or trial” due to the extreme risks they pose to the public.
Reaffirming their stance, the Ri-Bhoi Police called upon citizens to “say no to drunken driving” and “say no to reckless driving” in a collective effort to ensure safer roads across the state.
It may be recalled that two female students of NEHU sustained grievous injuries after being hit by a speeding Maruti car near the university’s Gate-II on Monday evening, around 7:30 pm.
Police said the vehicle (ML-05 J 4916), driven by Parmen M Sangma, a security person at NEIGRIHMS, allegedly lost control and struck the students from behind.
The victims, identified as Stephanie Shadap (22) of Mawkyndeng and Daritngen Ponduhkhei (20) of Borkhat in East Jaintia Hills, were rushed to Shillong Civil Hospital and later referred to the ICU of Nazareth Hospital due to the severity of their injuries.
Following a mandatory medical examination, police confirmed that Sangma was under the influence of alcohol. A case of drunk driving and attempted murder has been registered against him. The vehicle has been seized at the Mawkynroh Outpost, while Sangma was remanded in seven-day judicial custody.
