Schoolboy killed by speeding pickup in Ri-Bhoi; groups allege drunken driving

NONGPOH, May 29: An 11-year-old boy lost his life on Thursday morning after being struck by a speeding Bolero pickup at Warmawsaw village in Ri-Bhoi district.
The victim, identified as Ferdinel Wahlang, was a Class V student at Brensly Secondary School, Warmawsaw.
The accident occurred around 9 am when the vehicle (ML-05U-4961), driven by one Taidan Makri, allegedly knocked him down.
Wahlang sustained critical injuries and was rushed to the Patharkhmah Community Health Centre (CHC), where he succumbed shortly after arrival.
The incident drew sharp condemnation from the western Ri-Bhoi units of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP).
Leaders of these organisations accompanied the bereaved family to the hospital and blamed the tragedy on reckless driving.
The organisations alleged that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and overspeeding at the time of the accident.
They further expressed suspicion that the accused might be operating the vehicle without a valid driving licence.
Urging the Patharkhmah police to initiate stringent legal action against the driver, the groups also called for intensified vehicle checking drives across the region to curb traffic violations and prevent future fatalities.