Truck Driver Seriously Injured in Clash with FCI Officials

Staff Correspondent, Dharmanagar: A shocking and condemnable incident took place on Saturday, February 7, at the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown located in the Batarshi area of Dharmanagar, North Tripura district.According to allegations, during the weighing process of a truck, the FCI godown in-charge publicly insulted a truck driver by calling him a “thief.” This humiliating remark reportedly led to a heated argument, which quickly escalated into violence. Eyewitnesses and other truck drivers present at the spot alleged that the godown in-charge, along with the on-duty security guard, assaulted the truck driver.It is alleged that the security guard held the driver by the neck and restrained him, while the in-charge mercilessly beat him. As a result of the brutal assault, the truck driver sustained a fracture in one of his hands. The injured driver has been identified as Rajib, and the truck involved bears the registration number TR02A-1790. Meanwhile, it is also reported that the FCI godown in-charge suffered a head injury during the scuffle.As the situation went out of control, personnel from the Dharmanagar Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot and shifted both the injured individuals to Dharmanagar District Hospital. Upon receiving information, police from Dharmanagar Police Station promptly reached the scene and initiated an investigation into the incident.The incident triggered widespread anger among other truck drivers at the FCI godown. They alleged that the godown in-charge and the security guard have been misbehaving with drivers for a long time. The drivers further claimed that they are often threatened with cancellation of their trips if they do not comply with unlawful demands.Many believe that this incident is not a mere scuffle but a reflection of the abuse of power and the regular mental and physical harassment faced by truck drivers. The aggrieved drivers have demanded a fair and impartial investigation, along with exemplary punishment for those found guilty.The incident has raised serious questions about the functioning of the administration. If such acts of violence against working-class people can occur inside a godown of a crucial central agency like the FCI, it inevitably casts doubt on the role and responsibility of the authorities concerned.