Reported by Manoj Kumar Ojha
Guwahati: The death of a college student after a decayed tree fell on a scooter in Guwahati on Friday has triggered outrage, with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) alleging negligence by authorities and demanding a thorough investigation.
AASU president Utpal Sarma said, “Society cannot and should not treat the death of Parismita Hazarika as a mere accident. Calling it an unfortunate incident alone would be an injustice. This is the tragic consequence of the extreme negligence of certain irresponsible officials and employees.”
The victim, identified as Parismita Hazarika, died when a decayed tree near a railway track fell on the scooter she was travelling on in the Bhootnath–Kalipur area on Friday morning.
She and fellow student Jyotirmoy Mohan were on their way to appear for an examination at Pandu College when the incident occurred.
Jyotirmoy sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Sarma questioned the failure of authorities to remove the tree despite its deteriorated condition. He said, “The tree had remained dead and standing for a long time. It should have been cut and removed much earlier in the interest of public safety. Why did the Railway authorities and the Guwahati Municipal Corporation fail to act? They must answer.”
Sarma also demanded action against those responsible and said the incident should not be dismissed as fate. He called for compensation for Hazarika’s family and financial and medical support for the injured student.
Police have initiated legal proceedings and started an investigation.