Lilong tense after mishap claims one
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 10, 2011:
Tension ran high at Lilong today with agitated local residents blocking the National Highway 39 after news spread that two women were killed when a water tanker truck of Assam Rifles rammed into the auto-rickshaw in which the two victims were travelling in.
However the Assam Rifles authority has contended that only one woman died and not two as widely believed and added that the auto-rickshaw was over packed with seven passengers on board.
The auto-rickshaw did not stop even when the water tanker signalled that it was about to enter the Lilong Post.
Reiterating that only one and not two women was killed, Assam Rifles sources said that after post mortem, the body of the deceased was taken back by the family members at about 4.30 pm.
The Sangai Express on further inquiring into the matter could confirm that it was not two but one woman who passed away.
Rahini Bibi, who was thought to be one of the deceased, is presently recuperating at RIMS.
The water tanker (ML-05C/2500) of the 28 Assam Rifles post located just adjacent to Lilong Police Station under Thoubal district along the Imphal-Moreh stretch of the National Highway reportedly rammed into the auto-rickshaw (MN-05/8004) which was heading towards Imphal just in front of the gate of the AR post at around 9.45 am today.
Of the two women travelling in the auto-rickshaw died one died, while two men including the driver sustained injuries in the incident.
The injured driver has been identified as Md Najiruddin (51) while the other injured male passenger identified as Isaac Ali (60) is said to be the husband of the Sahira Bibi.
After the incident, the involved water tanker reportedly drove straight inside the AR post.
Decrying the callous attitude, local residents immediately resorted to road block in protest.
After the police and Assam Rifles officials arrived at the spot for inspection, the water tanker has been taken into the custody of Lilong Police Station.
Consequently, the road block too was suspended.