12-year-old heading to tuitions gets killed by oncoming truck on road that has been under repair for over five years; KDMC chief assures action against officials who delayed work
Jayshilan Raja Ayyakutty
KDMC's negligence
Raja Ayyakutty, his father, said Jayshilan was his only son and was studying in standard six in Lourdes school and junior college. "He was riding his bicycle and heading to tuitions, when a truck going in the opposite direction hit him. While he was being taken to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries."
The minor's bereaved family
"This is complete negligence from the authorities, as the roadwork has been going on since more than five years, causing congestion and traffic issues along the road. The road is being concretised since the last five years. Its middle part was also dug up for laying the divider that led to potholes. The divider never came up, but the potholes remain," he added.
Under repair road where the incident occurred
Action will be taken
Meanwhile, Mandar Halbe, KDMC's opposition leader has appealed to register a culpable homicide case against the officials who delayed the work that took the life of the minor. Protesting the death on late Tuesday evening, outside KDMC chief P Velarasu's home, locals and family members demanded action against the defaulters and contractors. Velarasu was not ready to meet the protestors who further staged a rasta-roko, after which he agreed to meet them.
He then assured them that action would be taken. He also said the work on the road will be completed within two months. The protestors also demanded disallowing heavy vehicles on the road and threatened to protest if this was not met. A senior KDMC official said that during Wednesday's Standing Committee meeting, it was decided action will be taken against the guilty officers and the roadwork has to be completed by February 28.
Driver arrested
The Mahatma Phule police, under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, have registered a case under section 304 (A) (Causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act. "The driver of the truck, Raja Mali, 23, has been arrested and further investigation is on. He was produced in court on Wednesday. We have seized the truck," said a police officer from Mahatma Phule police station.
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