Cruel twist of destiny, accident victims forced to beg

From a Correspondent

JORHAT, February 23: Victims of devastating accidents having lost an arm, a leg or any other vital organ of their body are often seen struggling to lead a normal life,even if they have to beg. But seldom do we hear heartfelt stories as that of Yazul Hussain (24) and Aroti Gowala (13) who are literally begging everyday in a bid to deposit money to get their legs amputated.

Both are victims of a terrible road accident when an under matriculate student of a private school driving a Bolero vehicle (AS 03 M 2083) hit the bike Yazul was riding at Charigaon road near Kenduguri in Jorhat on June 18, 2014. The SUV belonged to Hemanta Hazarika, an OIL employee and father of the young boy who was driving the car, allegdly without license. Incidentally, Yazul had gone to drop the two sisters Aroti and Kuwoli Gowala at Sarojini High School in Jorhat. The brother of both the girls, Jiten Gowala and Yazul were friends. That was the day and now today, their lives have completely changed. Yazul, a commercial vehicle driver before the accident and Aroti, a mediocre student who loved to study, have been confined to the wheelchair.

Talking to The Sentinel, Yazul said, “I have a family with a two-year old girl. I was hard working and though a driver, I kept my family happy. The accident changed our lives. Now I cannot drive. Since I cannot earn I have to depend on money received from fellow drivers. On the day of the accident, the wife of the OIL employee came to see me at JMCH and even gave me 10,000 cash to buy iron rods as prescribed by the doctor and promised me of all help for treatment and asked my wife to sign on a blank paper. My wife refused. Thereafter, they never turned up again while in the meantime some local boys belonging to the Kenduguri unit of AASU (All Assam Students’ Union) came to see me after my operation and forcefully took my thumb stamp on a blank paper and said that the Deputy Superintendent of Police would give money in the court when I go there with my wife. My wife went but they did not give any money and instead said that they would provide free treatment but even that promise was not fulfilled and all medical expenses in Jorhat and Dibrugarh were borne by me. My leg is full of puss and needs to be cut off immediately to stop the spread of infection to other parts of the body. So I beg everyone to dote that money.”

Meanwhile Aroti Gowala said, “My sister and I lost our parents at a very young age and we shifted to our brother’s place. My brother is a daily wage worker. I was in the ninth standard while my sister was in Class six. She got minor head injuries. She is fine now after treatment and is still going to school. But I cannot anymore. I loved to study and always wanted to be with friends. It was our half yearly exam time and Yazul had come to drop us at school when the accident happened. Someone took us to the hospital. I heard my brother was given Rs 5000 for my treatment by the mother of the boy who was driving the car. But thereafter there was no sight of them. Now I sit in the chair whole day and people help me to go to the bathroom or to my bed. The doctor in Dibrugarh has told about another operation only then they will be able to tell whether I can walk again or not. If I cannot then what’s the use of keeping the leg. If I get it amputated at least I will mage to walk with artificial limbs and go to my school and appear for the matric exam a year later.”

In between all this, Hemanta Hazarika’s wife said via phone, “This accident is all a drama. If you have to do any news then tell our side of the story, the harassment we have been through. The case was registered on public demand. They have no guardians. After the accident some unscrupulous persons stole a page from the letter pad of Sarojini School and got the case registered and later showed as a case under public demand. What is there to write? This is a MACT case which is in the court and compensation if any would be given by the court. If you do a news because of the girl was in class IX then my son too is a class IX student. What about my son? During that time I had persolly gone to the AASU’s office. Now even if we want to compromise we cannot because then they won’t get MACT claim. A very strong third party was behind the commotion and hence ruined everything. We have advocates and reporters at home and hence we know that.”