The North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong has imposed strict new traffic rules on campus with immediate effect in the wake of a recent accident that left two students of the institution fighting for their lives in hospital. According to the rules, from Monday, no vehicle has been allowed to cross the 30 kmph speed limit inside the campus, with helmets made compulsory for every two-wheeler rider and cyclist. The university authorities warned violators of disciplinary action.
The imposition of the traffic rules came after a speeding vehicle, allegedly driven by the security guard in an intoxicated state, rammed into two students near Gate II of the campus, critically injuring them on the evening of November 17. The injured students, identified as Dartingen Pohdukriek and Stephanie Shadap, both from the Chemistry department of the university, were walking along the roadside when the speeding vehicle hit them. Both students were rushed to hospital in a critical condition. According to reports, the two students are now out of danger and continuing treatment at Nazareth Hospital. A senior NEHU official informed that the university was adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards reckless driving and unsafe behaviour on campus. New signboards mentioning the permissible speed limit and wearing of helmets, have been installed at key points across the sprawling campus on Monday itself.While students have welcomed the move, they said that the rules already existed on paper. “The traffic rules inside the campus were always there but never enforced,” said a student requesting anonymity.