By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 18: Two female students of North-Eastern Hill University (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 guard 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.
Family members of the victims expressed shock and profound distress over the incident. Daritngen’s uncle said the family is devastated, describing her as a bright student with a promising future. “This accident has shattered our hopes. She is in a very critical condition,” he said.
Niwell Dhar, father of Stephanie, shared that the two students had just left the university library after preparing for the upcoming examinations when the tragedy struck.
NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) general secretary, Ibakordor Marwein, stated that the car was speeding down from the Central Library area before hitting the students near Gate-II.
She said the union is deeply saddened that such a reckless incident occurred within the campus, especially as the driver was allegedly intoxicated and alcohol was recovered from the vehicle.
NEHUSU has demanded stricter safety measures on campus, including the installation of speed breakers at critical junctions and strict enforcement of speed limits. The union also called for strict action against those driving vehicles at high speeds inside the campus.
Marwein further demanded that the driver be terminated from his job and urged the security agency responsible for campus security to ensure strict discipline among its personnel.
“People who are drunk should not be allowed to drive four-wheelers or two-wheelers,” she added.
