Taxi vandalised by angry mob, Mkg Adm issues travel advisory
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 14
Three persons on a scooty met a tragic fate in a road mishap in Assam on February 14. As per news reports from Assam, the scooty was allegedly hit by a Nagaland taxi (Tata Sumo) proceeding to Mokokchung from Dimapur via Assam.
The accident occurred in a narrow stretch of road that runs between Titabar and Mariani towns (Jorhat district) known as Dhodar Ali. For decades, it has been serving as a lifeline -- cost-effective and a shorter route too -- connecting Dimapur with Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Mon and other districts in eastern Nagaland.
As per sources in Dimapur, the taxi was bound for Changki village. The accident occurred around 11:00 am-12:00 pm. The taxi reportedly lost control of the steering after one of the front tyres burst. It then collided with an oncoming scooty.
The three persons on the scooty, said to be a family of three, succumbed on the spot. Local residents reacted in anger, vandalising the taxi. The status of the taxi driver could not be officially ascertained but the sources said that he was in the custody of the Mariani police, as on Monday evening. His health status also could not be ascertained.
Two of the five passengers in the taxi sustained minor injuries and were taken to Jorhat for medical aid. The sources informed that their condition was said to be stable. The three others were sent back to Dimapur by the police given the volatile situation that developed in the aftermath.
Meanwhile, the ADC, Mangkolemba issued a travel advisory asking commuters traveling to or via Assam to avoid taking the Dhodar Ali route till the situation calms.
The ADC stated that “in view of the unfortunate accident involving a Mokokchung bound Sumo from Dimapur at Dhodar Ali (between Mariani and Golaghat) in Assam on February 14 causing the death of three persons, the situation prevailing in the current scenario is said to be tense.”
It advised all Nagaland bound/originating travellers via Assam to avoid taking the said route until the prevailing situation is calmed. It urged all Mokokchung bound travellers to take the Golaghat-Merapani-Champang-Sonowal route to avoid unnecessary harassment in Mariani, Assam.”
