Imphal, May 08 2009: Death toll of the tragic bus accident that took place at Sangrungpang along TamenglongKhonsang road last morning has risen to 12 .

At least 11 passengers including a child were killed yesterday while 49 others sustained injuries when the ill-fated bus travelling towards Imphal met with the accident and fell into a gorge.

Out of the injured, one Makijuanang Panmei (77) of Tamenglong Ward No 2, Regunlung succumbed to injuries at RIMS here last midnight taking the death toll to 12 .

Around 20 injured passengers including two in critical conditions are being treated in RIMS.

Of the 39 injured victims brought to Imphal, 20 were admitted in RIMS while others were taken to different hospitals, informed a police source.

Of the 12 passengers treated in Tamenglong district hospital, five have been discharged.

Meanwhile it is reported that Tamenglong district SP Goglin Faomei and his party were to first to come across the mishap.

The SP and his team were also heading towards Imphal.

In addition to making all possible efforts to rescue the surviving victims immediately, the SP also informed Assam Rifles and Manipur Rifles.

Had the SP and his team did not come across the mishap, the casualty could have been much higher, conveyed a source in Tamenglong District Police.

Expressing shock over the tragic road incident at Sarungpang in Tamenglong district in which atleast 12 passengers of a bus including an eight-month old baby boy was killed while more than 40 others sustained injuries, some of them critically, Governor Gurbachan Jagat has termed the incident as most unfortunate.

He also expressed grave concern that all precautionary and remedial measures should be taken up so that such an incident do not recur in future.

Conveying his heartfelt condolence to the members of the bereaved families, the Governor hoped that God would give them the strength to bear their irreparable losses.

Mourning for the victims of the tragic road accident, Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur, while expressing condolence has also shared the grief of the bereaved families and prayed to the Almighty God to give them courage to overcome the paid and sorrow in this hour of distress.

In a statement, ZSUM also extended its gratitude to those generous individuals and social organisations which contributed generously at various levels during the tragedy.

United Committee Manipur (UCM), National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO), Zeliangrong Welfare Committee of Manipur University and Imphal-Tamenglong Road Transport Co-operative Society Limited have also mourned the death of 12 passengers in the tragic bus accident.

People's Democratic Alliance (PDA), Senapati district while expressing shock over the unfortunate incident has lauded 5th Manipur Rifles, police and other concerned authorities for extending timely assistance to the victims.

On the other hand, PRO Defence Wing in a statement said that people of Tamenglong district have appreciated the humane action of the troops of 11 Assam Rifles of Red Shield Division who save precious lives of the victims in the bus accident that took place at Sangrunpang, Tamenglong district yesterday.

Comment