Two dead, 17 hurt in separate road mishaps

JORHAT, Aug 18: At least two youths died and 19 others injured in two separate accidents in Jorhat district on Wednesday night. The first accident took place on the busy -Ali near Kuripukhuri under Lichubari out-post when a speeding Star bus bearing registration number AS-03-AC2591 carrying at least 55 passengers from Borhulla in Titabor to the Bhupen Hazarika Setu, lost control and skidded off the road, leaving 17 passengers very seriously injured as the bus fell into a deep wayside pit.

Among the three seriously injured, one Dip Sonowal (34) succumbed to his injuries on way to Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh on Thursday in the wee hours.

In the second accident, a speeding dumper hit a motorcyclist on the NH-37 near Lakhami gar under Pulibor police station. Three persons were travelling in a bike bearing registration number AS 03E 7378. Bitupon Saikia (34) who was driving the bike, died on the spot and the two others, Santanu Saikia and yonmoni Saikia were injured. They were rushed to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital in a critical state, while the dumper fled from the scene, said police sources.

Dumpers have been creating havoc on the roads during the peak hours every evening after their return from dumping mud for the four-lane works going on in and around the district and the drivers are usually drunk, said Satyabrat Baruah, a social worker and president of Lions Club of Jorhat on Thursday. “This leads to the risk of accidents, especially on NH-37, AT Road, Mariani Road and busy Ali Road where the traffic police or police are least bothered about the speed limit at certain junctions during peak hours,” he said.