Truck driver to be arrested after treatment: HDR tells House
SHILLONG: The Centre has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the 19 persons who were killed in the recent road accident in West Khasi Hills. The injured persons will receive Rs 50,000 each.
In addition, the State government will provide Rs 50,000 each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 10,000 each to the injured.
Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh announced this in the Assembly on Wednesday in response to the zero hour notice moved by K.P Pangniang representing Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency where the truck accident took place.
As many as 59 people were injured when the speeding truck, which was carrying 84 faithful of the Presbyterian Church who were going to attend the youth synod at Nonglang, rammed into the concrete barricade on National Highway 44(E).
Lyngdoh said the ex gratia payment announced by the PMO is from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
The minister asserted that the driver of the truck, Olbining Syiem, who was also injured in the accident, will be arrested after he is discharged from the hospital. The truck owner has been identified as Wester Syiem.
According to Lyngdoh, there was negligence on the part of the driver though the people had warned him to slow down.
A suo motu case was registered by the police against the driver under Nongstoin police station under IPC sections, 279/337/338/304(a) and 427.