PANAJI
The Congress leaders on Monday confronted the Transport officials in Panaji, demanding answers on the alarming rise in accidents and fatalities across the State. With nearly a dozen deaths and over 20 injuries reported from separate accidents this month alone, the delegation, led by Congress President Amit Patkar, demanded a meeting with Transport Director P Abhishek.
The delegation slammed the department’s handling of the situation even as quite a few accidents occurred due to the negligence of the accused drivers. The leaders insisted on speaking directly with the director, who has been on leave for a week.
“Your director does not want to take the responsibility. Call the concerned officer who is currently filling in, or else there will be a law and order problem,” Patkar warned.
While the concerned officer attempted to diffuse the tension, Patkar thereafter called Abhishek on his number, questioning whether he was aware of the recent accidents.
Abhishek requested to discuss the matter upon his return as he has been on leave “due to personal reasons”.
Upset, the delegation demanded answers from officers posted in the headquarters.
With the surge in accidents, the State reported five deaths within 48 hours including that of two best friends at Curtorim, two cousins at Arambol and a 57-year-old man in Pernem. On Monday morning, another accident occurred in Mapusa involving a Mapusa councillor and a taxi driver.
The victim taxi driver, Hanuman Arondekar, was dragged by a Scorpio car driven by the councillor. The victim was rushed to the hospital while the other taxi drivers demanded an FIR and the arrest of the accused driver.
