DERGAON/BOKAKHAT, Feb 8 � Twelve persons, including four women, died and three others were critically injured when the Tata Winger (AS 05 C 1784) they were travelling in from Dhakuakhana hit a stationary iron rod-laden truck (NL 04 D 2847) at Latabari, one km from Bokakhat, on National Highway 37 around 4.30 am this morning.
The accident occurred when a troupe of 11 persons from Ganakpukhuri Jugonia, Habial, Rangdhali and Jelmoni areas were returning from Dhakuakhana after attending the 84th annual session of Srimanta Sankardev Sangha, which was held on Thursday.
The deceased have been identified as Prabin Baruah (65), Pranati Bora (50), Runu Bora (52), Dibakar Bora (59) and his wife Nani Bora (50) of Polangamurai Chuk of Jogania Gaon, Atul Bora (65), Dharmeswar Bora (70) and his wife Molani Bora (62) of Habial Gaon, Surjya Saikia (56) and Atul Saikia (68) of Rangdhali Gaon, Lalit Bora (82) of Jelmoni in Ganakpukhuri and Arun Kurmi (24) of Butolikhowa Badulipar who was the handyman of the vehicle.
Meera Bora (60) and Jatin Bora (55) of Jogania Gaon and Bitu Barhoi (30) of Butolikhowa Badlipar, who drove the vehicle, received serious injuries. They are undergoing treatment at the Jorhat Medical College Hospital.
Minister and local MLA Bismita Gogoi, officials of the Golaghat district administration, members of the Golaghat district unit of AASU, office-bearers of Golaghat District Sankardev Sangha, secretary of AASHRAY, Dergaon, among others visited the families of the victims and conveyed their heartfelt condolences. Bokakhat Subdivisional Journalists� Union, Sanskritik Mahasabha, Asom, Bokakhat Press Club and socio-cultural organizations of Bokakhat also expressed deep sorrow at the incident and extended condolences to the members of the bereaved families. The Additional SP of Golaghat and SDO (Civil) of Bokakhat also rushed to the spot after the accident.
The personnel of the Bokakhat Fire Station, along with the local public, media persons and civil administration employees, took part in the rescue operation.
According to Meera Bora, who is undergoing treatment at the hospital, said the Winger was moving at a high speed but the driver he did not pay heed to the repeated pleas made by the passengers to slow down. He is not a professional driver as well and has no driving licence. He is the son of the owner of the vehicle, Raghunath Barhoi, who is also a sewak of Srimanta Sankardev Sangha.
Meanwhile, Bismita Gogoi assured the public of constructing a memorial tomb at the cremation site at Ganakpukhuri.
The public who gathered at the spot demanded strong steps against drivers violating traffic rules and also urged the authorities to clear the highway of vehicles parked on the roadsides with no lights at night.
