Mishap victims' families decry bus owner's silence
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 08, 2012:
Families of the Piphima passenger bus accident victims and All Manipur Students' Union have demanded that the Government pull up owner of the ill-fated bus, who had allegedly gone into hiding.
speaking to newspersons at the DM College campus office of AMSU today, Md Salauddin, who is uncle of one of the victims namely Md Rafiuddin (43) contended that owner of the passenger bus (MN01/1833) Md Kheiruddin of Lilong Usoipokpi Chingkham Mamang Leikai could not be approached ever since the day of the accident in Nagaland's Piphima village.
The passenger bus was on its way to Shillong when the accident took place near Kohima.
Recounting that the mishap on January 4 night had claimed the lives of 10 passengers besides injuring 33 others, Salauddin said Government of Nagaland not only promptly provided Rs 50,000 for each of the victims and Rs 20,000 to the injured passengers but also made proper arrangement for transportation of the bodies upto Imphal.
Contrary to the Nagaland's Government's assistance, both the Government of Manipur and the bus owner have been remaining indifferent to suffering of the victims, expressed the uncle who desired that all possible assistance be provided to the victim's families and the injured persons.
Proprietor of Network Travels, under whom the ill-fated bus was operating, namely Y Romeo who was also present at the media briefing expressed strong resentment against the irresponsible attitude of Md Kheiruddin.
While suggesting that the bus owner should come for discussing relevant relief measures, Romeo also said formal appraisal for assistance to the Chief Minister is yet to materialise with the State authorities citing election code of conduct.
From the side of the Network, an amount of Rs 20,000 was provided by its Dimapur branch to the victims and the injured persons, he added.
Commenting on the issue, AMSU general secretary N Dipanjit said indifferent attitude of the bus owner is highly condemnable for it is the responsibility of vehicle owners to extend all possible assistance in case of misfortunes suffered by the passengers.
Demanding that the Government pull up the absconding bus owner as well as ensure the victims are adequately compensated by the State, he also informed that a joint meeting of the victims' families and representatives of Network Travels would be convened at the AMSU office at 11 am of February 11 .