SILCHAR, Sept 13 - A minor student was knocked down and died on the spot by a speeding truck here in Meherpur area on Saturday around 6 am. Asif Ahmed Laskar (9), a student of class 1 was attempting to cross the road near the Meherpur Masjid when he was hit by a speeding truck bearing number AS-11-A-0875, which lost control being stuck in one of the many potholes on the road.
Soon, there erupted a mob fury on the pathetic road condition which claimed life of Asif. Family members of the deceased boy and other locals assembled in numbers to block the road that connects the town with the Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) for hours. As the day progressed, the protest grew intense and Superintendent of Police, Rajveer Singh along with Magistrate Simanta Kumar Das and CRPF and Police personnel had to rush to the spot to pacify the mob.
On the other hand, Debashish Roy, president of the Meherpur Gaon Panchayat, who arrived at the spot to speak to the protesters was severely attacked by irate mob. One CRPF jawan and one policeman sustained grave injuries while taking the GP president out of the scuffle. Roy is undergoing treatment at the SMCH. The locals have demanded adequate compensation to the family of the deceased, checking the movement of the unlicensed vehicles in the town and repairing the potholed roads at the earliest. However, the protesters lifted the blockade and dispersed after assurances by the police and the district administration that the truck driver would be arrested shortly. A cash of Rs 20,000 was handed over to the family of the deceased on behalf of the district administration and financial aid under Jewan Jyoti scheme and Chief Minister�s fund has been assured.
