No matter how much the current government boasts about good governance, this tragic incident has once again exposed the cracks in our administrative machinery and highlighted the apathy of officials responsible for ensuring public safety.
At the time of the incident, it appeared as if the administration was fast asleep—perhaps even with oil in their noses, as the saying goes—while a man was slowly slipping into death, begging for help that never came.
And why wouldn’t they be sleeping? After all, by morning they must be up and active—catching vehicles and collecting fines. That’s the one task the Tripura administration seems to do efficiently, because money is involved.
The incident occurred in the Teliamura-Chakmaghat area, where a lorry met with a severe accident. The front portion of the vehicle was completely crushed, trapping the driver with half his body stuck inside.
Incredibly, the driver was still alive—conscious and speaking. He was even guiding those around him, pointing out how he could be saved if a particular section of the vehicle was cut. He pleaded for help.
But saving him would have required cutting a portion of the truck—a step no one dared to take. He kept begging, kept fighting for his life—but no one came forward.
Five hours passed without any administrative assistance. And eventually, in that agonizing wait, he died—inch by inch.
Even after 5 to 7 hours, he could not be rescued. Perhaps he could have survived—if prompt and decisive action had been taken.
His death now stands as a grim testimony to the helplessness, incompetence, and failure of the state’s administrative system.
