High drama after truck runs over 11-year-old in Mohali

Balmiki Colony residents clashed with transporters after a truck ran over an 11-year-old boy near the Mohali Truck Union office in Phase 6 here on Friday morning.

The victim, Shivam on Balmiki Colony, studied in Class 3 at a government school in the area and had gone out to play in the morning as the schools are closed. He was on a cycle when the accident took place around 11am.

The impact was such that his skull cracked open and he died on the spot after coming under the truck’s rear tyre. The driver, identified as Rampal, aka Ramu, fled along with the vehicle. He was later booked for rash driving and causing death due to negligence under Section 279 and 304A of the Indian Penal Code.

Shivam’s father is an auto driver while his mother works as a domestic help in Phase 6. He was the youngest of six siblings.

Agitated residents damage trucks

As the new of his accident reached the colony, residents gathered at the spot in large numbers and started pelting stones at the truck union office. Many vehicles parked there were damaged.

“Earlier, too, the truck union employees had objected to children playing near their office. The truck driver deliberately hit the boy, ” alleged Shabnum, a resident of the colony.

Narinder Singh Maynee of the truck union maintained that it was an accident. “The truck is owned by Sarwan Singh. The accident took place because of the driver’s negligence,” he said.

The family initially refused to lift the child’s body from the spot till the accused’s arrest. Police had to intervene and assure them of action.

“The union helped the truck driver escape,” alleged Shivam’s father, Nirval. His brother, Ramu, alleged the truck drivers were the first to attack them after women abused them.

“A case has been registered on the complaint of the child’s father. The accused is absconding,” said Alam Vijay Singh, deputy superintendent of police (DSP, city), Mohali.