SHILLONG, Nov 19: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Transport and Urban Affairs, Sniawbhalang Dhar, on Wednesday visited the two North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) students who were critically injured after being hit by an overspeeding vehicle inside the university campus. Both students are currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Nazareth Hospital.

Dhar announced that the state government will bear the entire medical expenditure for the injured students, identified as Dartingnen Pohdukhei and Stephanie Shadap.

“It was a very horrifying and tragic incident,” the deputy chief minister told reporters after meeting the families. “The government has been informed by the family members, and it is our duty to look into the matter, especially when it concerns the safety of our youth.”

He further informed that while one of the students is now in stable condition, the other remains serious. Dhar added that the government is prepared to facilitate an out-of-state referral should their condition require advanced treatment. “If they cannot be treated here within two to three days, the government will refer them to hospitals outside the state,” he said.

Police have arrested the accused driver, Permen M. Sangma, a security guard at NEIGRIHMS, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the incident. Sangma is facing an attempt to murder charge, among other sections, after preliminary reports and CCTV footage indicated that the vehicle was speeding and had first collided with a scooty before crashing into the two students near Gate No. 2 of the campus on Monday evening.

East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem stated that this is “not a simple traffic case,” underscoring the need for further investigation to determine the full circumstances of the incident.

The state government has extended its prayers and solidarity to the injured students and their families as they continue to receive treatment.