By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 20: Doctors at Nazareth Hospital are closely monitoring the conditions of two NEHU MSc (Chemistry) students, Stephanie Shadap and Daritngen Ponduhkhei, who were seriously injured after being struck by a speeding vehicle near NEHU Gate-II.
Daritngen remains in critical condition with multiple fractures and possible complications that might require surgery.
Her uncle, Phlening Khongthaw, expressed concern about her transfer to a specialised medical facility in Guwahati due to her fragile state and emphasised their trust in the medical team.
“We will accept whatever decision the doctors take. We are thankful to the government for its commitment to bear her medical expenses,” he added.
“This will be a long treatment. She has fractures on her jaw, hands, legs, waist, and other parts of the body,” he said, adding that doctors have not indicated any head injury so far.
On the other hand, Stephanie’s condition is stable, allowing her to eat, her father, Niwell Dhar said, adding that X-rays revealed spinal injuries and a blood clot in her brain. “Doctors will review whether surgery is needed to remove the clot or if medication will be enough,” he said.
In the wake of the accident, calls for accountability have intensified, particularly regarding a private security agency’s camp within the NEHU campus, which has been implicated in the circumstances leading to the incident.
NEHUTA president Lakhon Kma criticised the camp’s presence, suggesting that it fostered an environment where unsafe practices, including alcohol consumption and unlicensed driving, could occur.
Kma demanded transparency regarding the agency’s operations on campus, questioning the oversight and safety measures in place, and called for stronger actions against the responsible security personnel.
“A case of attempted murder and drunk driving must be registered. Dismissing one person is not enough. The agency must take full responsibility. We must revisit our agreement with them,” he asserted.
Calling the accident “one of the worst” he has witnessed on campus, he urged NEHU to take decisive corrective measures, including blacklisting the agency if needed.
For long-term safety, he recommended installing speed humps on all approach roads to the five campus gates and reminded authorities that part of the road outside Gate-II lies on NEHU land, making construction in that area unauthorised.
Hundreds of students, faculty members, and staff joined the mass prayer, organised by NEHUSU, KSU (NEHU Unit), NEHUTA and NEHUNSA standing together in solidarity and praying for the speedy recovery of the two injured students.
