Silchar, Assam – Six people, including four police personnel, sustained injuries on Sunday when escort vehicles in Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s convoy collided with a civilian car on the Hatiali Bypass in Dibrugarh district, Assam. The accident, which occurred in the afternoon, has prompted an official inquiry and raised concerns about road safety during VIP movements in the state.

The incident took place while Sonowal, the former chief minister of Assam and current Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, and Rajya Sabha MP Rameswar Teli were travelling from Dibrugarh to Sonowal’s ancestral village, Bindhakata, located in Chabua. According to police sources, three vehicles from the minister’s convoy were involved in the collision after one of the escort vehicles struck a Hyundai Creta car.

Fortunately, Sonowal was not in any of the vehicles involved in the crash, and he remained unharmed. Rameswar Teli, who was also part of the journey, escaped without injury. The accident primarily affected the personnel responsible for escorting the convoy and the occupants of the civilian vehicle, all of whom were promptly shifted to Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh for treatment.

Dibrugarh Superintendent of Police Gaurav Abhijeet Dilip provided details of the incident, stating, “Today afternoon, one escort vehicle from the cavalcade of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hit a civilian vehicle near Hatiali under Chabua police station. As a result, six persons, including four policemen, were injured. They were taken to AMCH in the same ambulance of the convoy.” SP Dilip added that all injured individuals are currently out of danger and receiving treatment at the hospital, underscoring that no life-threatening injuries were reported.

The collision led to temporary traffic disruption on the Hatiali Bypass, a key thoroughfare in Dibrugarh district. Police teams were immediately deployed to manage the flow of vehicles and clear the road to ensure normalcy. The authorities emphasized the need for careful coordination between VIP convoys and regular traffic to prevent such incidents in the future.

The Sequence of Events

While official investigations are still underway, preliminary reports suggest that the accident may have been caused by a misjudgment in vehicle spacing within the convoy. The Hyundai Creta, a civilian vehicle, was reportedly struck by one of the escort vehicles, causing a chain reaction that involved multiple vehicles in the minister’s cavalcade. Eyewitnesses reported hearing the crash and seeing immediate commotion as security personnel and bystanders rushed to assist the injured.

“The vehicles were moving at moderate speed, but there was limited space on the bypass due to ongoing traffic. The escort vehicle lost control momentarily and hit the civilian car,” a local witness said. “Immediately, the other convoy vehicles also had minor collisions in the ensuing confusion.”

The injured police personnel were part of the security detail responsible for ensuring the safe passage of the minister’s convoy. Their injuries, though non-fatal, highlight the occupational hazards faced by security personnel during high-profile VIP movements. Quick action by ambulance teams and hospital staff ensured that all injured parties received timely medical attention.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal: Profile and Past Tenure

Sarbananda Sonowal, currently Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, served as Assam’s chief minister from 2016 to 2021. During his tenure, he was credited with several infrastructure and development projects across the state. Following his transition to the Union cabinet, Sonowal has continued to maintain close ties with his native district of Dibrugarh, frequently visiting his ancestral village Bindhakata and surrounding areas.

Rameswar Teli, the Rajya Sabha MP accompanying him, has also been actively engaged in regional development projects and is a prominent political figure in Assam. Both leaders’ presence in Dibrugarh during the accident underscores the routine nature of VIP visits to constituencies and home districts, which often involve extensive convoy arrangements for security and protocol purposes.

Safety Concerns and Convoy Protocols

The accident has renewed debates about road safety protocols for VIP convoys in India, particularly in congested or semi-urban areas. While escort vehicles are meant to ensure the safety of high-profile officials, they can also pose risks to ordinary commuters when mismanaged or when adequate spacing and coordination are not maintained.

Experts in road safety point out that high-speed convoys, combined with regular traffic, increase the likelihood of accidents. “VIP movements require careful planning, including pre-mapped routes, traffic clearance, and trained escort personnel. Any lapse, even momentary, can lead to accidents involving both security teams and civilians,” said a transport safety analyst.

The Assam Police has assured the public that an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the accident. “The probe will examine vehicle speeds, driver conduct, communication within the convoy, and other factors to identify the cause. Any procedural lapses will be addressed, and recommendations for improved safety protocols will be implemented,” SP Gaurav Abhijeet Dilip stated.

Response and Measures Taken

Following the incident, emergency response teams were deployed immediately. All injured individuals, including the police personnel, were transported in the convoy’s ambulance to Assam Medical College and Hospital. Hospital authorities confirmed that the patients are stable and undergoing routine treatment.

Traffic management teams ensured minimal disruption on the Hatiali Bypass while clearing the wreckage. The authorities have urged commuters to exercise caution in the area during VIP movements and to maintain a safe distance from convoys.

Broader Implications

The incident has broader implications for convoy management across India, highlighting the challenges of balancing security with public safety. High-profile officials’ movements often necessitate multiple escort vehicles, but the increased number of vehicles on busy roads can heighten the risk of accidents. Ensuring strict adherence to convoy protocols, driver training, and real-time traffic monitoring are essential to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Dibrugarh accident also serves as a reminder of the risks faced by security personnel in the line of duty. Injuries sustained by police escorts in such events underscore the occupational hazards and the need for comprehensive safety measures and contingency planning.

Conclusion

The collision involving escort vehicles in Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s convoy in Assam has drawn attention to both road safety and VIP convoy management in the state. While no life-threatening injuries were reported, the incident affected six individuals, including four police personnel, and temporarily disrupted traffic on a key bypass.

Authorities have assured that a detailed inquiry is underway to establish the cause and to implement measures preventing future accidents. In the meantime, the event serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required between providing security to VIPs and ensuring the safety of ordinary citizens on the road.

As Assam continues to witness frequent visits by political leaders to various districts, officials are expected to review and reinforce safety protocols for convoy movements, with an emphasis on minimizing risk to both security personnel and the public.