Teliamura, August 5: Despite crores spent from the state exchequer on disaster preparedness, the Disaster Management Department and local administration failed miserably when it was needed the most — leading to the tragic death of Mihir Lal Debnath, a truck driver and owner, after a road accident in the Chakmaghat area under Teliamura police station.
The incident has left the entire region stunned, raising serious questions over the state’s emergency response system and the accountability of the Sub-Divisional Administration.
CM Dr. Manik Saha Responds: Orders Probe
In the wake of massive public outrage, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha took to social media to express his concern and direct urgent action. In a statement, he said:
“A probe has been initiated in connection with the unfortunate incident at Teliamura, where a driver tragically lost his life following a mishap. The concerned authorities have been directed to submit a detailed report at the earliest. Appropriate action will be taken if any negligence is found on the part of any individual or authority.”
This assurance from the Chief Minister comes as public anger intensifies, with many demanding accountability for what they see as a preventable death due to administrative failure.
The Incident
According to eyewitnesses, at around 2:30 AM on Sunday, a cement-laden truck travelling from Dharmanagar to Agartala met with an accident on the national highway near Chakmaghat. The driver, Mihir Lal Debnath, hailing from Kanchanpur, got trapped inside the mangled cabin, his body crushed under the weight of the truck’s front section.
Desperate to survive, Mihir pleaded for help repeatedly, crying out in agony for someone to rescue him. But despite hundreds of people gathering at the scene, there was no sign of an effective response from the authorities for nearly 7 to 8 hours.
Failure of Rescue and Administration
Shockingly, the Disaster Management and Fire Services Department, which is funded heavily by the government, failed to deploy effective rescue equipment or trained personnel in time. Only two to three personnel arrived, reportedly with an iron cutter that did not work. The concerned DCM-level officer reached the site nearly seven hours later, further delaying any serious rescue attempt.
It wasn’t until 9:40 AM that the administration finally managed to extract Mihir’s lifeless body and transport it to Teliamura Sub-Divisional Hospital — long after all hopes of saving him had perished.
Public Anger Mounts
Locals have strongly condemned the administration’s failure, calling it a shameful display of irresponsibility and a lethal lapse in duty. They argue that Mihir could have been saved had the rescue response been swift and adequately equipped.
TSR Praised for Efforts
While the civil administration drew flak, personnel of TSR 12th Battalion reportedly tried their best within limited capacity to assist in the operation and have been praised by onlookers for their dedication amidst institutional failure.
