The incident near Nedumbassery, where two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officers brutally killed a young man by running a car over him following a road altercation, is so heinous that calling it cruel, inhumane, or barbaric would still fall short. What started as a minor verbal dispute over a car brushing against another during an overtaking attempt escalated into a horrific crime. The CISF officers, enraged, ended up fatally dragging Ivin Jijo, an employee of a flight catering company in Nedumbassery, with their car after knocking him down. Forget compassion or fellow-feeling — this act was devoid of even the basic decency expected in public life. It raises serious concerns and fear about a generation that shows no trace of restraint.

The incident unfolded on Wednesday night when Ivin Jijo, on his way to work, tried to overtake a car driven by CISF officials near Nayathode. During the attempt, the CISF official's vehicle brushed against his car, triggering a confrontation. Ivin moved ahead, stopped his car in front of theirs, and confronted them about the incident. In retaliation, the CISF officers abruptly accelerated, causing Ivin to fall onto the bonnet. Despite this, the accused continued driving with Ivin clinging to the front of the vehicle for approximately one and a half kilometres. When they abruptly braked, Ivin fell under the car. Even then, the vehicle dragged him for another 15 meters before coming to a halt only because the wheel could no longer move. By the time he was taken to the hospital with severe injuries, Ivin had already lost his life. Both officers were arrested by the police, suspended, and an internal CISF investigation has been initiated.

What is most disturbing is that the accused are members of a security force — individuals expected to embody discipline, public decorum, and responsible behaviour as part of their professional training. That such individuals could commit such a gruesome act in mere minutes of provocation is both shocking and alarming. According to the Road Safety Council, disputes, assaults, and aggressive behaviour among drivers are on the rise on public roads. Psychologists attribute such incidents to what is now commonly referred to as “road rage” — a mental state driven by excessive stress and impulsive anger while driving. As per 2021 statistics, there were approximately 215,000 cases where road rage was identified as a significant factor leading to accidents.

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, road rage is legally recognised as a punishable cause for dangerous driving. Whether triggered by intoxication or psychological stress, this mental state can lead to reckless behaviour and violent confrontations over trivial matters. In the Nedumbassery case, had those two young CISF officers shown a bit of restraint, 24-year-old Ivin Jijo might still be alive today. It is imperative to conduct a thorough investigation into how such individuals, tasked with crucial duties like airport security, were capable of such behaviour. They must be removed from the force if they are found to be mentally unfit for duty. And a word to those who suffer from “road rage”: your lack of self-control can cost someone their life.