Palakkad road accident: People stage protest; Govt to hold emergency meeting tomorrow

Palakkad: Local residents of Karimba here staged a protest on the Palakkad-Kozhikode road for hours on Thursday following a truck accident that killed four schoolgirls. They alleged that lapses by the authorities in addressing the unscientific construction of the road led to the accident. The protesters blocked the police from restoring traffic on the road until addresssing their concerns. They agreed to call off the protest after the government decided to hold an emergency meeting chaired by the district collector to discuss their complaints.

Minister K Krishnankutty visited the accident spot. He told media that the emergency meeting chaired by district collector would be held on Friday. He added that road safety officials and PWD officials would attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar announced that a probe into the accident would be conducted. He told media that transport officials would visit the spot. He also announced that the transport department would launch an awareness program in response to the increasing number of road accidents.

MLA Rahul Mamkootathil visited the spot and tried to pacify the protesting people after assuring them that immediate action would be taken to address their concerns. However, the people refused to call off their siege. 

" People are raising their concerns. They demanded to install proper sign boards and crossing lines on the road. Their concerns will be discussed with the district collector and public representatives," said the MLA.

The public alleged that over 100 accident took place on this road stretch from Dubaikunnu to Pallippadi. A local body representative told Manorama News that construction of the National Highway without fixing the dangerous curve turned Karimba an accident-prone area.

A conflict-like situation unfolded at the scene, as locals continued to argue with the police. Vehicles including school buses are waiting in the long traffic snarl on the stretch.

Four Class 8 girls from Karimba Government Higher Secondary School were killed when a speeding truck skidded and fell onto them. The accident occurred on Thursday evening while they were returning home. Schoolmates of the deceased also joined the protest. The angry students said that more students might have died if the higher secondary classes were operational.