Chennai: A day after three colleges students were run down by a tanker lorry in the city, the National Human Rights Commission on Friday issued a notice to the chief secretary and director general of police seeking a detailed report on accidents in the state. The Commission also castigated departments concerned of “callous and sheer insensitive attitude”.
In a notice issued to the CS and DGP, the NHRC asked for detailed reports on the matter within four weeks. “Reportedly, this was not the only accident caused by a water tanker lorry as the provisions of cancelling driving licenses in case of accidents under the Motor Vehicle Act are not being strictly implemented by the authorities in the state.
The commission has observed that the contents of the news report are indicative of callous and sheer insensitive attitude of the transport department, police as well as Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board,” a statement from the NHRC said.
The officers have also been asked to inform about the norms relating to fitness of the water tanker lorries, number of trips allowed, number of persons died in such accidents during last five years and preventive action taken against the erring drivers and the other officials of the department concerned.
The NHRC also squarely blamed the state transport department for its failure in implementing and enforcing the rules and regulations. “The non-checking of actual persons at the wheels results in driving by incompetent minors as well as vehicles going out of control by drunken driving. The safety of citizens should be the primary concern of the government. The state government cannot escape its obligation to protect the lives of its citizens from such preventable gruesome mishaps,” it said.
Build speedbreakers in front of edu institutions: Captain
Condoling the death of three students of a women college in Guindy run over by a water tanker, DMDK chief Vijayakanth on Friday demanded the setting up of speedbreakers in front of the schools, colleges and hospitals across the state to prevent repeat of such incidents.
In a statement here, Mr Vijayakanth expressed shock over the incident of water tank running over the three girl students and sought strict action against the driver. He also urged the state government to provide adequate compensation to families of victims.
