NAMAKKAL: More than 100 people blocked the Tiruchengode-Devanankurichi Road for more than an hour on Thursday, demanding immediate installation of speed bumps and streetlights. The protest followed the death of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) union secretary Kuppusamy, 55, in a road accident involving two motorcycles on Wednesday night. The road blockade disrupted traffic, forcing police to divert vehicles, including school vehicles, via different routes. The accident happened near Devanankurichi bridge bus stop around 8pm on Wednesday. Kuppusamy was crossing the road on his two-wheeler when another two-wheeler collided with it. Kuppusamy and the riders on the other two-wheeler — Prakash, 26, and Ajay, 26 — suffered serious injuries. The duo were travelling from Tiruchengode. Prakash was riding the motorcycle while Ajay was riding pillion on it . Locals rescued Kuppusamy and sent him to Tiruchengode Government Hospital in a 108 ambulance. However, he died en route. Prakash was admitted to Namakkal Govt Medical College and Hospital while Ajay was admitted to a private hospital in Tiruchengode. Villagers refused to accept Kuppusamy’s body and erected a barricade on the road, saying accidents often occurred due to the lack of speed bumps and streetlights. They said people crossing the road were at risk. The blockade ended after Tiruchengode rural police inspector Nagalakshmi spoke to the protesters and assured them that speed bumps and streetlights would be installed. According to NTK election candidate Revathi, there is heavy traffic on the road from Tiruchengode to Kumarapalayam. “There are no streetlights and speed bumps near the Devanankurichi bridge bus stop. Hundreds of students travel on the road daily,” she said. “There are many TASMAC liquor shops on the road. Many people drive after drinking liquor at night, making road accidents common in the area,” she added.
