Another recklessly driven truck claims life of a boy

KT NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Apr 24: In less than a month, the increasingly deadly Bemina-Mirgund road was again painted red when a loaded truck, bearing registration number JK05-4179, crushed to death a 16-year old boy this evening at Khomeini Chowk Bemina.

According to eyewitnesses, the boy - Arshid Hussain Bhat, son of Mohammad Sadiq Bhat of Hakermulla Bemina - was on his way to home when a speedy truck hit him near Safvi Abad Bemina. The boy was rushed to SKIMS Bemina where he succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, driver of the truck, Mohammad Shafi Bhat of Bijbehara Anantnag, who had fled from the scene, later surrendered to police this evening.

Massive Protests
Massive protests rocked Bemina and adjoining areas against the killing of the boy. The irate people, shouting slogans, smashed window panes of the truck. The protestors took to streets and restricted vehicular traffic.

When police reached the spot, the protestors - who were trying to torch the truck - pelted stones on them. Violent clashes between police and protestors were going on when last reports came.

The protestors were demanding a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles in the area.

The protestors accused the district administration of failing to keep a check on the movement of heavy vehicles in the area.

Not learning from past mistakes
It seems authorities have not learnt from the past mistakes. The district administration Budgam had decided to construct speed breakers at important installations, but the idea has remained on paper. There is hardly a speed breaker on the road, which makes it more vulnerable. The authorities have not deemed it necessary to construct a speed-breaker even near schools.

Over 1500 tippers ply on Bemina-Mirgund road round the clock. Given the traffic flow and width of the road, this five kilometer stretch is considered accident prone. The road has claimed several precious lives and half a dozen have been maimed for life, but no substantial measure has been taken by the concerned authorities to save human lives.

Restrictions:
All areas falling within the Municipality limit have been declared ‘no entry’ zones for heavy loaded tippers and trucks during day hours. The order, unfortunately, is partly implemented.

Superintendent of police Budgam, Aftab Ahmad Kakroo, had told this news paper on March 17, 2010 that he had directed SHO Parimpora and DSP Traffic to ensure that tippers and trucks are not parked on roadside during restriction hours. However, the order is being observed in breach. There are number of tippers and trucks parked on the roadside during restriction hours.

Kakroo had also told this paper that nakas would be set up at Mirgund, Sepden, Khumeini Chowk and Bemina Bypass to restrict the movement of tippers during restriction hours.

“I have directed DSP Traffic to ensure there is no tipper parked on Bemina-Budgam road during restriction hours. He will also ensure that tippers are driven at modest speed and strictly deal with those drivers who try to overtake,” he had said.

However, one would hardly come across a policeman deputed on vital areas like Mirgund chowk, Sepden chowk and Khomeini chowk, to keep a check on speed of vehicles after the restriction hours.


Fatal mishaps:
On March 17, 2010 a nine-year old boy – on his way to Madrasa (religious school) – was killed when a rashly driven tipper, bearing registration number JK01F/0904, ran over him. The boy was shifted to SKIMS Soura where he succumbed to his injuries.

On March 28, 1010 a tipper, bearing registration number JK04-7922 driven by Shabir Ahmad Bhat son of Farooq Ahmad resident of Hakermulla Budgam had killed a mother daughter duo of Daniwara Chattabalnear Abu Turrab Chowk Sepdan in Budgam district.