Six persons including two women were killed while six other sustained serious injury when a Santro car ploughed through a group of persons playing dice game at Kiyam Babu Market in Thoubal District at around 1 am today. Report said 3 died on the spot while the other 3 succumbed to their injury at the hospital. Among the 6 injured, condition of one, identified as Sinam Oken (age about 45 years), is stated to be critical. Death toll is likely to rise as he is battling for life.
Interestingly the Santro car bearing registration number MN04A 4832 was driven by an army personnel posted at Leimakhong along with two of his friend. The army man is identified as Md. Riyas Khan (28years) son of Md. Hubibur Khan of Sora Mayai Leikai. His army number is 14679438H657 EMEBN. All the three of them were nearly lynched by the angry mob, but a police team who rushed to the spot took them to their custody. The Santro car after ploughing the crowd hit a Maruti 800 car which was parked near the site.
Those killed in the accident are identified as Khundongbam Babu Singh (61 years), his wife Kh. Tombi Devi (49), Sinam Ongbi Akasini Devi, (about 47 years old), Maimom Sunil (47 years), Mutum Manihar (53 years) and Aoijam Bablu Singh (19 years). All from Thoubal Kiyam Siphai Babu Market.
Among the six injured, 3 are identified as Mutum Roben, Sinam Oken and his son and Mutum Apik. While Sinam Oken is fighting for life at Raj Medicity Hospital, Mutum Oken’s leg has been mutilated. All the six injured were rushed to RIMS hospital, but 3 has been referred to Shija hospital and another 1 at Advance hospital.
It is a practice for several men and women to play dice with high stakes on Diwali festival as well as ahead of the social festival, Ningol Chakkouba to be held on Friday. Some local residents of Kiyam were absorbed in the game long after midnight along the Imphal-Moreh national highway when the accident took place. The cause of the accident is not established as yet. The army man was arrested and a case registered against him.
Tension is running high. Additional police personnel have been rushed from the district to maintain law and order.