A security guard employed at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) was arrested on Monday evening after he allegedly drove under the influence and rammed his vehicle into two North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) students, leaving them critically injured.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Vivek Syiem confirmed the arrest of the accused, Permen M. Sangma, who is currently in police custody.
“We have arrested the person responsible for the accident. We have registered a case against him and seized the vehicle,” Syiem said.
The incident took place around 7:30 pm at Gate No. 2 of the NEHU campus, where Sangma’s speeding vehicle struck two Chemistry department students — Daringngen Pohdukhei and Stephanie Shadap. Both students sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the hospital, where they remain unconscious in the ICU.
Police said Sangma had been staying in a barrack inside the NEHU campus. A medical examination later confirmed that he was intoxicated, with a blood alcohol level far above the legal limit.
“We will produce him before the court today and may seek police custody,” Syiem added.
The police are awaiting the Motor Vehicle Inspector’s (MVI) report to assess whether any mechanical factors contributed to the crash. However, the SP stressed that the circumstances appear serious and require thorough investigation.
“It is an open, well-lit area. Driving at such high speed and failing to see pedestrians raises several questions that need further inquiry,” he said.
CCTV footage viewed by the police shows the vehicle speeding towards the students. Before hitting them, it first collided with a parked scooty and then rammed into the campus gate.
Further investigation is underway.
