Post-Mortem Examinations of Several Kaziranga Road Accident Victims Completed; Bodies Handed Over to Families

The tragic road accident that occurred at Rongajan in Kaziranga on Friday has plunged the entire state of Assam into mourning. At least 26 people lost their lives in a horrific head-on collision between a passenger Traveller vehicle and a container truck. Several injured passengers are still undergoing treatment at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH), with a few reportedly in critical condition.

The ill-fated Traveller, bearing registration number AS02 AC6690, was carrying around 40 passengers and was travelling from Bokakhat towards Nagaon. Meanwhile, the container truck, bearing registration number KA01 AT0977, was heading from Tezpur towards Dibrugarh. According to preliminary information, the accident occurred when the Traveller allegedly entered the wrong side of the road and collided head-on with the container truck.

Further concerns have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the accident. Reports suggest that the 26-seater Traveller was carrying more than 40 passengers, raising serious questions about passenger safety and overloading. It has also been reported that the vehicle had previously been fined several times for overspeeding. The moment of the collision was reportedly captured by a camera installed in the container truck.

Authorities have so far identified several of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident. The identified victims include:

• Jyoti Majhi and Darpana Majhi from Amguri, Kohora.
• Purnima Goala and her 12-year-old son, Anurag Goala.
• 20-year-old Lakhimi Majhi from Kaziranga.
• Sujata Tanti from Kaziranga.
• Jayanti Rabidas from Bihora Tea Estate, Rongajan.
• Rashid Ali from Kuthori.
• Golapi Begum from Rongajan.
• 38-year-old Mohammad Ali from Dhupguri village in Dhing.
• Sushil Bhumij from Bokakhat.
• Faizul Islam.
• Deepak Gurung from Naharoni, Rangapara, Sonitpur.
• Damini Ghatowal.
• Baby Karmakar.
• Dipanjali Rongpharpi, a student of CNB College, Bokakhat.
• 21-year-old Farhana Yasmin.
• Rashid Ali from Harmati, Bagori.
• Ranjita Katowar from Nagaon.
• Abdul Mujid, the driver of the Traveller.
• Subhash Das, the helper of the Traveller.

Efforts are underway to identify the remaining victims and establish contact with their families.

The residence of Ranjita Katowar of Ultajan in Golaghat is now engulfed in grief. She was travelling in the ill-fated Traveller to visit her parents’ home in Nagaon when the accident claimed her life. Her family members are inconsolable following the tragic loss.

Similarly, 38-year-old Mohammad Ali, a resident of Dhupguri village in Dhing, was returning home when he met with the fatal accident. He had been working in Golaghat, and news of his death has cast a pall of gloom over his native village.

Dipanjali Rongpharpi, a student of CNB College in Bokakhat, was also among those killed in the accident. Her mortal remains were paid their last respects at the college.

Meanwhile, post-mortem examinations of several victims have been completed, and their mortal remains have been handed over to their respective families for the final rites.

A one-and-a-half-year-old child was also injured in the devastating accident. The child is currently receiving treatment at Bokakhat Sub-Divisional Civil Hospital.

However, the identities of the child’s parents remain unknown, adding to the concern surrounding the incident.

The driver of the container truck was also injured in the collision and is currently undergoing treatment. His identity has not yet been officially established.

A five-member team of specialist doctors has arrived at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital to ensure proper medical care for the injured victims. Doctors are closely monitoring the condition of those undergoing treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic accident in Kaziranga. President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed grief over the incident and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.

The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 for each injured person.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced an investigation into the tragic accident. The Chief Minister is scheduled to visit the accident site to take stock of the situation.

The investigation is expected to examine various aspects of the incident, including the circumstances leading to the collision, alleged overspeeding and the reported overloading of the Traveller.

As a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the accident, the Nagaon Traveller Union has announced the suspension of Traveller services across the district for the day.

In Bokakhat, local business organisations and various community groups have also announced the closure of all shops and commercial establishments until 11 am as a mark of mourning and solidarity with the bereaved families.

The devastating accident has claimed 26 lives and left numerous families shattered. The tragedy has once again raised serious concerns over road safety, vehicle overloading and overspeeding, highlighting the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.