AFTER AN ACCIDENT AGITATED RESIDENTS BLOCKED DEHRADUN-CHANDIGARH NATIONAL HIGHWAY FOR FOUR HOURS

By: S R Pundir

Nahan: Hundreds of residents sat on the Dehradun-Chandigarh highway at Missarwala village, about 30 K.M. from here, for over four hours after a boy Ashik Ali [14] resident of Chamba [H.P.] was crushed to death under a Jeep [No.PB 04-8299] that was on way to Patiyala [Punjab] from Hemkund Sahib, this morning.

Paonta police acted promptly and reached immediately on the spot. Nahan police arrested driver of the Jeep, Sheesha Singh resident of Patiyala, at Dosarka near Nahan within half an hour of the incident after receiving a message from Paonta police. Administration and Police officers of the area were taken to surprise when even after the prompt police action in the matter some of the local residents blocked the National Highway and instigated others also.

When Station House Officer Paonta Police station Mr. Narvir Rathour informed local leaders leading Dharna on the National Highway that as driver of the Jeep had been arrested by the Nahan police so they should lift the Dharna immediately, leaders demanded that after the arrival of SDM Paonta on the accident spot they would lift the Dharna. SDM Paonta Mr. Sandeep Kumar and Dy S.P. Paonta Ms Shubhra Tiwari reached the spot immediately they were also taken to surprise when village leaders put a new demand to call Deputy Commissioner Sirmour on the spot, when they were asked to lift the Dharna by the SDM. Deputy Commssioner Sirmour also rushed to spot and after his arrival on the spot every body was taken to surprise when leaders raised another demand to produce driver of the vehicle before them, who was in the custody of Nahan police. Finally after persuading the people the blocked ended at 2.30 P.M. after over four hour.

Thousands of tourists and pilgrims on way to Uttrakhand, Himachal, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh stranded in the several K.M. Jam on the both side of road were helplessly watching this, what they called a ‘drama’ and demanded strict action against the people instigating common people to sit on the road even after the arrest of accused driver. As per eyewitnesses some very serious patients on way to different Hospitals in Uttrakhand were rushed to Yamuna Nagar from the mid of the way. Tourist families carrying their little kids with them in this peak tourist season in the state, had a hard time as for four hours there was no water, milk or any food available for their little ones who were weeping in their vehicles.

As per information Paonta police has registered three cases in this regard. A case had been registered against around thirty persons who resorted to sit on the road and created problem to common people another case was registered against 15 persons who pelted stones on a passenger Bus and caused damage to its body including breaking its glasses. Paonta police sources claimed that all the offenders had been identified in this connection. Third case had been registered against the driver of the Jeep under section 279 and 304A.