18-year-old critical after Cruiser runs over; Angry locals block Silchar - Manipur road for two hours

18-year-old Priya Rabidas is admitted to the hospital in critical condition after a Cruiser ran over her in Silchar’s Rongpur. According to the locals, the Cruiser was on the wrong side of the road when it hit the local girl.

The accident irked the locals and the women of the Rongpur Ward No. 4 area blocked the Silchar – Manipur road disrupting vehicular traffic for more than a couple of hours. Hundreds of vehicles on both sides of the road forced the traffic in-charge, Rongpur Police Outpost in-charge and other officials from district administration to rush to the spot.

“The Cruiser drivers always drive on the wrong side of the road. There is a Cruiser stand in the locality yet they hire passengers from the other side. Due to their callousness, the 18-year-old girl is battling for life. We have had similar accidents occur in this zone before. We protested and submitted a memorandum to the DC and SP. However, no action was taken,” said Bajrang Dal’s Mithun Nath, who supported the women in their protest.

Nath informed that as per the law, there must not be a motor-stand within the town. However, despite being a part of Ward No: 4 of Silchar Municipality, the area gets jammed due to this Cruiser stand. “Why is this stand operating here illegally? Who is behind this? We demand immediate action against the stand,” Nath appealed.

Priya Rabidas’ mother said she wants justice. “There is very little chance my daughter will remain alive. The driver left the Cruiser on the spot and escaped. The motor stand officials know the driver, but they did not reveal the identity. I want action against the driver and the owner of the vehicle must compensate,” she said while in tears.

After the officials from the administration rushed to the spot and negotiated with the protesting locals, the blockade was withdrawn. “They assured that the Cachar District administration will take care of the treatment. If necessary, the administration will transfer the patient to Guwahati and at the same time, action will be taken against the stand operators. Based on these assurances, we have withdrawn the blockade,” said Mithun Nath.