Ex-gratia payment

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAR 10: The Meghalaya government today announced ex-gratia relief to the next of kin of the victims and to the injured in a road accident in East Jaintia Hills District.

Three persons died while 39 others were injured when a Mahindra Pick-up (ML 04 A 9019) overturned at Khahnar village in the district on March 8.

The truck was ferrying over 40-45 passengers from Mooknor village and was proceeding towards Saipung PHC for an eye check-up camp.

“The state government will sanction ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 each to the next of kin the deceased and Rs 10,000 each to the injured,” chief minister Mukul Sangma said in the Assembly.

Informing that an FIR has been registered against the driver Kyrshanlang Lamurong (24), he said attempts were made to arrest the accused but he was found absconding. Efforts are on to trace the accused.

He said that the government was very concerned with such accidents and will re-enforce its plan and efforts to see that accidents are prevented.

“Such efforts among others include sensitization of drivers towards road safety and strict enforcement of law by the police,” he added.

Other steps include awareness programmes, frequent checking on overloading, check on drunken driving, over speeding, and others.