Tripura suspends SDM over truck driver’s death

Agartala: The state govt has suspended the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Teliamura and issued a show-cause notice to the district magistrate (DM) of Khowai following a preliminary inquiry into the tragic death of a truck driver. The driver, Mihir Lal Debnath (26), was trapped inside his vehicle for seven hours after an accident on NH-8.CM Manik Saha criticised the delayed rescue efforts for the victim. A three-member inquiry committee, led by the secretary of revenue (Relief, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management), has been established to investigate the incident. SDM Teliamura Parimal Mujumdar has been suspended immediately, while DM Khowai Rajat Panth and the OC of Teliamura Fire Station have been served show-cause notices. The govt has announced a financial aid of Rs 6 lakh for Debnath's family.The accident occurred at 2.30 am on Aug 5 in Chakmaghat, Khowai district, when a cement-laden truck veered off the road and crashed into a tree. Despite efforts by disaster management personnel, malfunctioning rescue equipment allegedly delayed the operation, leading to Debnath's death. In response to public outrage and concerns over the state's disaster response efficiency, social welfare & social education minister Tinku Roy and industry & commerce minister Santana Chakma visited the bereaved family. "We are committed to ensuring accountability and maintaining public trust in the government's systems," said Saha.