Tragic road accident in Tseminyu claims 8 lives

DIMAPUR — Eight people were killed in a tragic road accident on Wednesday after a sand-laden truck collided with a Mokokchung-bound zonal taxi (Tata Sumo) at K Station in Tseminyu district.

All the occupants of the taxi, including seven passengers and the driver were killed in the tragic accident. Six victims were female and two male, aged between 23 and 32.

Additional Superintendent of Police and PRO Tseminyu, Lanu Aier, informed that the police received information about the accident from the locals around 7:55 am on Wednesday.

Fearing fatalities, it requested DEF Wokha to dispatch a recovery van and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel from Wokha to respond to the situation immediately. A police team, including the Officer-in-Charge (OC), SDPO, and Additional SP were rushed to the spot after arranging for an excavator (JCB) and an ambulance, it stated.

It was observed on reaching the scene that an LP truck laden with sand, which was heading from Merapani to Kohima, collided with the taxi.

“The impact of the collision caused the passenger sumo to be dragged along the highway for some distance before it fell off the highway, plummeting several feet below and crushing the Sumo. The LP truck, laden with sand, had completely crushed the passenger Sumo, trapping all the passengers inside,” read the update.

The police immediately initiated a rescue operation with the assistance of local residents and found one female passenger alive. She was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical treatment but succumbed to her injuries while en route to Kohima, it said. Meanwhile, the bodies of six other passengers and the driver were recovered around 11 am but all of them were found dead, bringing the total number of fatalities to eight, it informed.

The bodies of the victims were handed over to their families after observing all legal formalities.
A suo-moto case was registered in connection with the tragic incident. Three persons, including truck driver Pabitia Gogoi, handyman Nituraj Gogoi and helper Ultan Gogoi, all from Golaghat in Assam were arrested and placed in police custody for further interrogation and investigation, informed the ASP.

CM announces ex-gratia

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio condoled the death of eight people and announced ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Tseminyu district where eight precious lives have been lost. The State Government is providing all necessary assistance and ex-gratia of INR 2.00 lakh each for the deceased. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” he wrote on X.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Tseminyu district where eight precious lives have been lost. The State Govt. is providing all necessary assistance, and ex-gratia of Rs 2.00 lakh each for the deceased. I extend my depeest condolences to the bereaved families.

— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) September 20, 2023

NSF condoles

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) expressed grief over the tragic accident and extended its condolences to the bereaved family members and all those affected.

“In this difficult hour, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends who have been profoundly affected by this tragedy,” read its condolence message. “May we all find solace in knowing that the dear departed souls now rest in eternal peace with our Almighty Father,” it added.