Protest Erupts in Doomdooma Following Fatal Road Accident
Community Demands Action After Tragic Incident
The protesters submitted a six-point memorandum to the Tinsukia district commissioner
DOOMDOOMA, Oct 26: In response to a tragic road accident that claimed four lives on the Tinsukia-Doomdooma bypass, local residents organized a road blockade near Samdang New Line on Sunday. They carried the victims' bodies while demanding fair compensation for the families affected and the establishment of a police outpost in the hazardous area.
Over 200 individuals from nearby tea estates, along with representatives from the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA), held the district administration, police, and transport authorities accountable for the frequent accidents on the bypass. Jagat Nayak, president of the ATTSA Tinsukia district committee, criticized the authorities for failing to fulfill their promises regarding road safety improvements.
The protesters presented a six-point memorandum to the Tinsukia district commissioner via Kritartha Neog, the co-district assistant commissioner of Doomdooma, before lifting the blockade. Their requests included the immediate establishment of a police outpost at Samdang, appropriate compensation for the deceased, a prohibition on vehicles transporting green tea leaves along the bypass, installation of streetlights, and the closure of illegal liquor shops in the vicinity. They also called for the intervention of Doomdooma MLA Rupesh Gowala to enhance public safety.
The fatal accident occurred around 5 PM on Saturday when a Mahindra Bolero Maxx, which was transporting green tea leaves, reportedly collided with a motorcycle and several pedestrians while trying to overtake another vehicle. Pintu Tanti from Samdang New Line died instantly, while Subrata Bhakta (19) and Ganesh Praja (20) later succumbed to their injuries at Tinsukia Medical College and Hospital. The fourth victim, Rajesh Kishan, who was an assistant in the Bolero Maxx, also lost his life.
The driver of the Bolero Maxx, Manoranjan Moran from no. 1 Pithaguti in Philobari, along with two assistants, Manish Tanti from no. 1 Kakajan and Pawan Karmakar, who is yet to have his permanent address confirmed, suffered serious injuries. They were initially taken to Tinsukia Medical College and Hospital, with Moran and Karmakar later referred to Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh for advanced treatment.
Following the collision, both the Bolero Maxx and the motorcycle caught fire, resulting in the tragic deaths of Pintu Tanti, Subrata Bhakta, and Rajesh Kishan. The driver of the other vehicle escaped without injuries. Police have impounded all vehicles involved in the incident at the Doomdooma police station.
Doomdooma's co-district superintendent of police, Diganta Dutta, along with officer-in-charge Manujjal Gogoi, visited the accident site to assess the situation. Tinsukia district commissioner Sumit Sattawan and senior superintendent of police Mayank Kumar Jha also arrived at the scene. Jha announced that a high-level inquiry would be initiated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire that ensued after the collision.