Coimbatore: Woman hit by truck while avoiding AIADMK flagpole
A 30-year-old woman met with a road accident on Monday as an AIADMK flagpole allegedly fell on a highway in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The woman, Anuradha Rajeswari, sustained grave injuries on both her legs, including a fracture. Reportedly, Rajeswari is the sole breadwinner in her family. The incident comes after an AIADMK hoarding resulted in a techie's death in September, triggering massive uproar.
Accident occurred near Goldwins bus stop
According to NDTV, Rajeswari was on her way to work on Monday morning. Near Goldwins bus stop on Avinashi Road, she spotted an AIADMK flagpole falling, and swerved her vehicle. However, she lost her balance, falling on the road as an oncoming truck ran over her legs. The incident occurred at 9 am when she was merely 3 km away from her office.
One leg heavily fractured; nerves cut in another: Relative
Rajeswari has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a local hospital. A relative of Rajeswari told The News Minute, "She has a heavy fracture in one leg and the nerves have been cut in the other leg." She underwent a 7-hour-long surgery and will be placed under 48-hour observation, they said. Doctors will now attempt another surgery for the damaged nerves.
Truck driver booked; confessed to speeding: Police
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior police officer told NDTV that the truck driver has confessed to speeding. A complaint has been lodged against the driver. However, the officer took the blame off AIADMK, saying, "The flagpoles were erected on the sandy side of the road. There is no way they could have reached the right lane of the highway."
Police are covering it up, claims Rajeswari's uncle
Disagreeing with the police, Rajeswari's uncle, Sivan, explained, "The flagpole fell and that is why Anu turned right to the other lane in panic and got hit by the truck." He added, "The police are covering it up."
Flagpoles meant for AIADMK functionary's wedding, confirms Commissioner
The family had earlier alleged that the flagpoles were erected to welcome Chief Minister E Palaniswami, who was in Coimbatore on Monday. According to India Today, the flagpoles were erected for the wedding of AIADMK functionary Swami Bomivardhan. Coimbatore Police Commissioner Sumit Sharan has also confirmed that the flagpoles were placed for a wedding. Meanwhile, Palaniswami denied knowledge of the incident.
Flagpoles erected with Coimbatore Corporation permission: Commissioner
Commissioner Sharan said the flagpoles were erected with the permission of the Coimbatore Corporation. However, they are checking if the grant of permission was in violation of a recent Madras High Court order. They are also investigating if the flagpoles were responsible for the accident.
Madras HC reiterated ban on hoardings after techie's death
Notably, the Madras HC had reiterated the ban on political hoardings after the death of 23-year-old R Subhashree in September. Subhashree was riding her scooter when an illegal AIADMK hoarding fell, causing her to lose balance. She was crushed by an oncoming water tanker. Incidentally, the HC granted conditional bail to Jayagopal, the accused in Subhashree's death, on the day of the Coimbatore accident.
