Transport body mulls criminal case
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 10 2013 :
Ramesh Prasad, owner of the truck whose driver Gobardhan was murdered mercilessly in Kohima should come to the office of Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC) by 11 am of February 11 otherwise a criminal case would be registered against him.
This was stated by TDC president H Ranjit during a press meet today.
He said that TDC members waited for truck owner Ramesh Prasad of Pandon till 2 pm today though he was told to come at 11 am.
However, Ramesh Prasad never turned up.
In case Ramesh Prasad does not turn up at the office of TDC by 11 am tomorrow, TDC would not only file a criminal case against him but also ask relevant authority to seize his truck bearing registration number MN01-5835, Ranjit said.
He announced that TDC would give monetary assistance of Rs 50,000 to the bereaved family of late Ningombam Gobardhan tomorrow.
TDC has also decided to persuade truck owner Ramesh Prasad to give Rs five lakhs to the bereaved family.
Saying that the killing of Gobardhan is highly suspicious, Ranjit expressed strong desire for a thorough investigation into the killing including the controversy that an identity card was found near the dead body.
In case any truck owner forces drivers to ply on Imphal-Dimapur route of NH-2 with a view to get more profit against the ban announced by TDC, and in the event of any death or casualty suffered by drivers while driving along the highway, TDC has resolved that the truck owner should compensate the driver's family with Rs five lakhs.
Moreover, it has also been decided to ostracise the particular truck owner from the transporters fraternity, Ranjit said.
He also demanded that the particular police officer and police personnel who fired tear gas shells while transporters and drivers were paying last respects to the mortal remains of Gobardhan yesterday should not deployed in public places any more.
He appealed to the State Government to take up necessary action against the erring and arrogant police personnel by February 12 failing which transporters and drivers would launch intense agitation from the next day.
H Kullamani, secretary of the Drivers' Union which is a component of TDC remarked that all the decisions of the TDC are justified.
He appealed to all drivers to avoid Imphal-Dimapur highway totally so as to avoid any more deaths/casualty.