Body suspected to be of missing driver found
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 04 2020: A body suspected to be that of the driver who went missing after his vehicle plunged into the river when Irang bridge on Imphal-Jiri road gave in on November 1 has been found today at Guigailong village area, Khoupum PS, Noney district.

The body was found in the river by the locals at around 6 am.

After photos of the body went viral on social media, Khoupum PS personnel rushed to the spot to fish out the body.

The body will be brought at JNIMS mortuary for postmortem, said sources.

Body suspected to be of missing driver found

As there are reports of no other person falling into the river and going missing, the body is suspected to be that of the driver named Khamba.

However the identity of the deceased is yet to be confirmed, said the sources adding family members of the driver will be contacted for identification.

It may be noted that Irang bridge gave in dragging down a tipper carrying sand on November 1.One handyman was rescued while the driver of the vehicle went missing in the strong current.

The vehicle is yet to be recovered.

On the other hand, Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC), president H Ranjit has said that the Council has filed a complaint with the Noney Police Station for filing an FIR against NHIDCL officials regarding the incident today.

Speaking to media persons, Ranjit said members of the drivers' union have left Imphal to bring back the body suspected to be that of the driver.

After postmortem, the body will be handed over to family members, he said.

TDC is giving Rs 1 lakh as compensation to the family of the driver, he said.

Ranjit also appealed Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the Government to expedite necessary actions and steps to repair the bridge before the Ningol Chakkouba festival.

TDC will also lend all available hands in repairing the bridge, he added.

Meanwhile, the Irang bridge will be repaired using parts of a bailey bridge on Imphal-Moreh road in Tengnoupal area, said NHIDCL officials.

Army personnel in Tengnoupal have started dismembering the bailey bridge at Tengnoupal to be shipped to Jiribam to reconstruct the Irang bridge.

Disorganisation of the bridge will be completed tomorrow, added the officials.

NHIDCL has also started repairing the abdomen of the Irang bridge which was damaged by the poclain machine used to recover the truck stuck in the river.