KOZHIKODE: Furious youngsters in their hundreds and members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India on Wednesday blocked the Kannur Road near Malabar Christian College (MCC) with the body of Aloysius James, demanding speedy action against the bus driver who mowed him down after a verbal clash on Tuesday at Athanikkal near Kozhikode. Angry at the police which booked the bus driver under non-serious sections, the crowds led by Kozhikode North MLA A. Pradeep Kumar demanded justice for the victim’s family.
Soon after the body of Aloysius, 21, reached near MCC, his friends and people gathered at the spot blocked the ambulance and started raising slogans. As more people joined the protest, Mr Pradeep Kumar reached the spot and spoke in support of the protestors. Demanding compensation for the family which lost its only son, Mr Pradeep Kumar said the traffic police which often dismissed such incidents lightly was to blame for the incident. “A similar accident occurred in the city a few days ago but the police took no action against the offenders,” he said.
It may be recalled that the bus employees and Aloysius had engaged in a verbal duel after the bus hit his bike. The driver, who refused to apologise, took the bus forward and hit Aloysius who in the meantime had overtaken the bus.
Deputy commissioner of police D. Sali told DC that the police has booked the driver under IPC 304, which is non-bailable with the maximum punishment of life-term. “We had registered a case against the bus driver under section 304 A which is causing death by negligence but the section is now changed to 304.” The driver and the other employees of the bus are absconding, he said. “The situation has become normal,” he said.
Sharon Jose, a friend of Aloysius, said his friends will continue the protest till the family received justice. “We have not just lost our close friend but a great soul who has taken the responsibility of his entire family when he was just 16 years old after the death of his father,” Mr Jose said.
Victim was family’s sole bread-winner
Aloysius James
The death of a young man, who was the sole breadwinner of his family, in an avoidable accident has caused widespread grief in the family and friends circles which flowed on to the street in the form of protests on Wednesday demanding justice for the family.
The death of a young man, who was the sole breadwinner of his family, in an avoidable accident has caused widespread grief in the family and friends circles which flowed on to the street in the form of protests on Wednesday demanding justice for the family.
And it was not just the family and friends: hundreds of people directly and indirectly associated with Aloysius James gathered at his home recollecting their memories with him. “Ever since he lost his father five years ago, Aloysius had been struggling to meet both ends, but he never showed it to his family or friends”, said Simi Simon, his cousin.
Even though the death of his father, who was working with a ‘band troupe’ in Kozhikode, was a shock to him, he overcame it soon and stood beside his mother, she added.
Aloysius completed his schooling from Model HSS, higher secondary from St Joseph’s Boys’ HSS and later joined Image institute in Kozhikode for a photography course. Simultaneously, he joined a car spa outlet in Westhill as he was the only bread winner to the family, which consists of his mother and maternal grandparents. He also took great interest in the activities of St Joseph’s Church near Malabar Christian College, his parish. Aloysius was cremated at the cemetery of St Joseph’s Church at 2.30 pm on Thursday.
