The recent tragedy in which an eight-year-old girl lost her life in Brichgunj has shocked the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Unfortunately, it is not the first time that children have lost their lives due to the reckless driving of heavily loaded vehicles in the area. The Brichgunj route passes through a densely populated area, and the lack of safety measures endangers the lives of locals, especially the children.
The people of the area have been raising their voices against the operation of heavy trucks, the over-speeding of loaded vehicles, and the threat to human life for several decades. However, their pleas and complaints have fallen on deaf ears, and the government has failed to take any action to address the situation. It is evident to everyone that the root cause of the problem is the negligence of the authorities in enforcing road safety regulations.
The arrest of the truck driver and the truck owner is merely a symbolic gesture. They are likely to get bail in no time, and this will not solve the problem. What is needed is a thorough investigation and the registration of a case against all government officials involved in allowing the heavy truck owners to operate without any accountability. Their negligence has caused this tragedy, and they should be held responsible for their actions.
Several questions need to be addressed as well. Why was there no police officer on duty in front of the school? Why does the school gate open so late? Why did the PCR vehicle arrive so late? These questions highlight the need for the government to conduct a thorough inquiry into this incident and address all these issues.
To prevent such incidents from happening in the future, the government should impose a blanket ban on the operation of heavy trucks between 7:00 AM to 9:15 AM and 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. During school opening and closing times, there should be a standing order that police personnel must be present in front of all schools to regulate traffic. These measures will go a long way in ensuring the safety of the children and the locals in the area.
It is easy for top officers coming from mainland India on posting to overlook the situation and view it as just another accident. However, for the islanders, it is a massive shock. We must think about the parents of the minor girl and the mother, who must be devastated by this tragedy.
The islanders hope that the Lt. Governor will visit the victim’s family and order a thorough inquiry into this incident. It is time to hold the government officials accountable for their negligence and take action to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The loss of an innocent child’s life is a pain that no parent should ever have to endure. We owe it to them to ensure that their children’s safety is never taken for granted.
In conclusion, it is time for the government to wake up and take strict action to ensure the safety of the locals, especially the children, in the Brichgunj area. The authorities must take immediate steps to enforce road safety regulations, and heavy truck owners must be held accountable for any violation of the law. We cannot bring back the innocent lives lost due to the negligence of the authorities, but we can prevent such tragedies from happening in the future by taking appropriate action. Let us not wait for another tragedy to strike before we take action. The time to act is now.
