Road accidents a major killer in Assam

GUWAHATI, August 29: Road accidents in Assam are turning out to be a greater menace than terrorism as the number of persons killed in road mishaps in the state is almost double the number killed in terrorist-related incidents. As per a report of the Assam Police, last year as many as 915 persons were killed in road accidents in the state, while 480 died due to terrorist-related violence. Last year 110 persons were killed in road accidents in Guwahati city while 268 others were injured. In the first seven months of this year, 81 persons were killed and 216 others were injured in road accidents in the city. Police sources said that of late a number of steps have been taken by the police to improve the traffic scenario in the ever-growing city but unfortunately, till now the steps taken have not showed the desired results. In fact, the police department, particularly the traffic branch of the city police is plagued by different problems including acute shortage of manpower as the strength of the department has not been increased since 1972, while during this period the number of vehicles on the city roads has increased manifold.