Margao: Locals blocked the road near Ravindra Bhavan in Curchorem on Thursday, protesting the release of the truck involved in the fatal accident that claimed the life of 18-year-old Jesval Diniz of Cacora earlier this week.The protesters demanded a full investigation into the circumstances of the accident, including whether the truck had valid permits for transporting laterite stones.Diniz died on April 19 after his scooter went under the front wheel of an oncoming truck near Ravindra Bhavan in the early hours.Locals alleged that the absence of cautionary signs or reflective tapes at a road diversion, created for culvert construction, was a key factor in the accident.They also questioned why the truck was transporting laterite stones during the dark hours and whether it held valid permits, given that laterite quarries are currently closed.Local activist Dattaraj Raut Dessai said, “Roads are in a dug-up state round the year, and people are subjected to immense hardships. This road was diverted for construction of a culvert, and that is why the accident happened — there were no cautionary signs or reflective tapes installed.
The police released the truck, but they haven’t checked how the driver could obtain a permit for laterite stone transportation when all laterite quarries are closed.
Why was transportation being carried out in the dark hours? All these trucks are overloaded and do illegal transportation without permits. We will get to the bottom of this case and ensure that the victim’s family gets justice.”The deceased’s family called into question the police version of events. “The police say Jesval was riding on the wrong side, but he had no choice — the road is constricted because of the diversion,” the deceased’s uncle said.Police has now filed an offence against Raut Dessai, alongwith 10 to 15 others, under sections relating to unlawful assembly, obstruction of a public servant and wrongful restraint under the BNS, 2023.
