A series of four accidents on the Radhapur–Sripur road in North Tripura left one dead and several injured, sparking public outrage over poor road conditions, unregistered vehicles, and weak enforcement. Locals demanded urgent safety measures after the tragic incidents.
North Tripura witnessed a night of chaos and tragedy as four separate road accidents occurred within hours along the Radhapur–Sripur alternative national highway under Dharmanagar subdivision. The series of collisions left one elderly man dead and several others injured, triggering widespread anger among local residents and raising serious questions about road safety, enforcement lapses, and the increasing menace of unregulated vehicles in the region.
The deceased has been identified as 72-year-old Arun Dutta, a daily wage labourer from the Sripur area. According to police and eyewitness accounts, Dutta was returning home on foot when he was struck by a speeding motorcycle that was allegedly operating without a registration number. The impact left him critically injured on the spot.
Fire service personnel arrived quickly and rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared him dead shortly after admission. Meanwhile, the motorcycle rider fled the scene, leaving behind the damaged and numberless two-wheeler. Authorities have since seized the vehicle, but the rider remains absconding, prompting a wider search operation.
A Night Filled With Alarming Road Mishaps
Officials confirmed that alongside the fatal collision, three other accidents occurred on the same stretch of the Radhapur–Sripur road throughout the night. Though details of the additional accidents are still emerging, preliminary reports indicate multiple injuries and significant damage to vehicles involved.
Residents told reporters that such mishaps have become alarmingly frequent in recent months due to deteriorated road conditions, ongoing construction work, increasing presence of unregistered vehicles, and lack of proper monitoring by authorities.
Protest Erupts: Residents Block Road Demanding Safety
The string of crashes sparked public outrage early in the morning. Locals gathered near Radhapur and staged a spontaneous road blockade, demanding immediate government intervention.
Protesters alleged that:
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The road surface has become unsafe due to poor maintenance.
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Unregistered motorcycles and other vehicles operate freely without fear of enforcement.
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Police presence and surveillance are insufficient, encouraging reckless driving.
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Repeated complaints to officials have received little response.
Holding placards and shouting slogans, the agitated crowd blocked traffic for nearly an hour, prompting authorities to intervene. A police team reached the site and held discussions with the demonstrators, assuring them that action would be taken against violators and that the condition of the road would be reviewed urgently by the concerned departments.
Following the assurance, the blockade was lifted, and normal traffic movement resumed.
Police Begin Investigation; Suspect Still at Large
Dharmanagar police have confirmed that the motorcycle involved in the fatal accident has been seized for forensic examination. However, efforts to locate the rider are ongoing.
“We are treating this as a serious hit-and-run case. The offender will be identified and brought to justice,” a police official said. CCTV footage from nearby shops and houses is being collected to trace the suspect.
Authorities also acknowledged that unregistered or numberless motorcycles have become a common sight in several parts of the district, often used by youths engaging in reckless driving or illegal activities.
Public Concern Mounts Over Road Safety
The tragic events have once again highlighted the need for strict enforcement of traffic regulations in North Tripura. Civil society groups and local residents have urged the administration to:
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Repair and maintain the Radhapur–Sripur highway without delay
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Increase patrolling in accident-prone zones
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Crack down on unregistered and illegally modified vehicles
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Install signboards, speed-limit markers, and streetlights
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Launch awareness campaigns on safe driving practices
Community leaders also emphasized that authorities must act on public complaints with greater urgency before more lives are lost.
As Dharmanagar recovers from the shock of consecutive roadside mishaps, the death of 72-year-old Arun Dutta has become a symbol of broader failures in road safety management.
| Also Read: Tripura School bus accident: 1 dead, dozens injured in crash |
While police continue their investigation, the public’s growing discontent makes it clear that infrastructure improvement and active enforcement are no longer optional — they are necessary to prevent further tragedies on the region’s increasingly hazardous roads.
