Misfortune: Man commits suicide, seven injured in accident

Locals blame dilapidated road for frequent mishaps.

MATTA:

One person was killed and seven others were injured in two different incidents in Matta tehsil on Saturday.

According to the police, Akhtar Ali, a resident of Sambat village, committed suicide. “He shot himself in the head after which his family shifted him to Tehsil Hospital, Matta but he had succumbed to the gunshot by then. We have not yet ascertained the cause behind his suicide,” said Burhan, the deceased’s neighbour.

Elsewhere, seven passengers were severely injured when a pickup plunged into a roadside ditch in Gut Peochar. The injured were rushed to Tehsil Hospital, Matta where they are presently admitted, stated a police report. The wounded were identified as Rahim Khan, Munir, Fatima, Suleman, Barak Allah, Sakina and Ziaullah.



According to locals, accidents frequently occur in the area due to the poor condition of the road in Gut Peochar. “The road is in the worst of conditions. Not only is it bumpy, but also full of stones and ditches. Despite many demands and requests, the government has not repaired it yet,” said Zahoor, a resident of Peochar.

The road passes through the mountains and gets muddy and slippery in the rainy weather, shared another local. “Many fatal accidents occur here. The ditches in the road are filled with water and even pedestrians cannot use it,” said Akbar Hussain.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2013.