During elections, the rules are generally made more stringent in every poll-bound constituency.
But, the Barak Valley is different as it seems like the region lacks basic knowledge on road safety rules. Adding to that, even the enforcement agencies seem inactive in focusing on the issues.
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On April 22, an incident unfolded at the Silchar-Imphal National Highway, specifically in the Lalang area of Cachar, falling under the jurisdiction of the Lakhipur Police Station.
A motorcyclist met a tragic end following a collision with a passenger cruiser in the morning.
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At around 10:30 am, a passenger cruiser collided with a motorcycle.
The cruiser was en route to Silchar from Fulertal when the unfortunate incident occurred.
As per reports, the collision propelled both the motorcycle and its rider beneath the cruiser.
As per statements of the eyewitnesses, the cruiser reportedly dragged the motorcycle along the road for several meters before finally coming to a halt.
On March 18, eleven persons, including the driver, sustained injuries when the four-wheeler they were travelling in collided head-on with a truck on the Silchar-Aizawl road (NH-306) in Narsingpur area under Sonai police station of Cachar district in Assam.
Similar incidents keep getting reported from across Barak Valley pretty often.
Barak Valley has two Lok Sabha constituencies – Silchar and Karimganj. GPlus team visited both the constituencies to understand the road safety situation.
At Rangirkhari point in Silchar town, GPlus team observed the two wheelers moving around for twenty minutes standing near a traffic police on 22nd April at around 5 PM.
Around 80 two wheelers were seen where none of the pillion riders were wearing helmets, while some amongst the riders were not wearing helmets as well. Interestingly, they were not fined by the police.
The similar condition exists in Karimganj also, but there are some points in Karimgamganj, where the riders avoid crossing without helmets, as the police would fine them.
From Silchar to Hailakandi to Ramkrishna Nagar to Karimganj, the GPlus team observed that people do not use seat belts as well in cars.
A rider from Dholoi Bazar who was not wearing a helmet, when questioned, said, “It is too hot and I have high pressure. I cannot wear a helmet.” He added that police would hardly levy fines for not wearing helmets, and if they did it would be a rare case.
The four wheeler drivers do not use seat belts and when asked they say that they have stomach issues.
At Badarpur Ghaat under Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency, the enforcing agencies were seen acting against seat belt violation and helmet less riders.
It needs to be mentioned that state transport minister Parimal Suklabaidya is the BJP candidate for Lok Sabha from Silchar.
In December 2023, Suklabaidya carried out a bike rally covering all 126 assembly constituencies in the state spreading road safety rules messages.
It is ironical that in his constituency Silchar people hardly follow road safety rules.
GPlus tried contacting the district administration officials of Silchar on the issue, but they were too busy, and said that they will discuss on the issue after the elections are over.
A senior police official of Silchar said that they usually enforce the rules, but at present because of elections, they have less man power.
Expressing concern over the high number of road fatalities in the state, Assam transport minister Parimal Suklabaidya had said 85% of these accidents could have been prevented had people adhered to safety rules.
Participating in the ‘Path Suraksha Jan Andolan’ held in Dibrugarh in December 2023, Suklabaidya drew attention to the fact that Assam had recorded 6,001 road accidents between January and October 2023, resulting in 2,606 deaths and 4,800 injuries.
