Khliehriat, August 29 : The Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, issued a press release today clarifying an incident that occurred on the NH-6 near Wahiajer village on August 29, 2023.
The Deputy Commissioner was on his way to Lumshnong to attend the Annual Day Celebration at Divine Words Secondary School and to chair a meeting with officials from the DRDA, Block Development Officer, Gram Sevaks and BTAs of the Lumshnong C&RD Block.
A massive traffic jam had occurred on the NH-6 due to multiple vehicle breakdowns. The Deputy Commissioner’s driver signaled to nudge the traffic ahead, but was met with abuses by the driver of the vehicle in front (ML 11 4554, Mahindra Camper Pick up).
Despite repeated signals by the Deputy Commissioner’s driver, the aforementioned vehicle refused to give way. The Deputy Commissioner then approached the driver to request him to move the vehicle aside.
The driver of the vehicle was in an inebriated state and was accordingly instructed to move the vehicle aside. However, the request by the Deputy Commissioner was met with verbal abuse and aggression.
Thereafter, an attempt was made to remove the ignition keys of the vehicle to prevent him from driving further and this was physically resisted by the driver. The Personal Security Officer of the Deputy Commissioner intervened to protect him and had to use minor force on the errant driver to physically disengage him from the driver.
The Deputy Commissioner and the PSO were then accosted by a group of unknown persons using unacceptable language despite repeated attempts made to give clarity about the incident. They not only continued with their tirade, but also tried preventing further movement of the Deputy Commissioner’s vehicle. It was only with the intervention of the local police that his vehicle was allowed to proceed.
The driver of the aforementioned vehicle was later subjected to medical test in which it was conclusively proven that he was in an inebriated state and unfit to drive at that moment.
The Deputy Commissioner has regretted the incident and has said that such negative and unverified videos would cast aspersions on actions which were otherwise taken for the safety and greater good of others who were also travelling on the route.
This information is released to allay all doubts, rumors and misinformation in relation to the viral video that has circulated about the incident that occurred on the National Highway 6 near Wahiajer village today the 29th August, 2023, DC said in his Press Release
