In Patna, a speeding truck crushed two Kanwariyas on their way to collect Ganga Jal (Ganges water), resulting in their death. Two others were injured. Following the accident, people blocked the road and protested.
Patna: A tragic accident occurred in Patna on Tuesday morning during the holy Kanwar Yatra of Sawan, in which two young men on their way to collect Ganga Jal died on the spot and two others were seriously injured. The accident took place near the Bairiya Bus Stand, where a speeding Hyva truck crushed Kanwariyas riding a bike. As soon as the news of the accident spread, unrest and anger erupted in the area. Local people blocked the Patna-Masaudhi main road and started protesting and setting fires. The administration and police had to send forces from four police stations to the spot to control the situation.
The Shadow of Accident on the Pilgrimage of Faith
Both the deceased Kanwariyas were residents of Chipura Kala village in the Gaurichak police station area. The deceased have been identified as 20-year-old Neeraj Kumar (father - Sunil Rai) and 23-year-old Bablu Kumar (father - Pappu Singh). Both were going to Gaighat in Patna to collect Ganga Jal by bike on the occasion of Sawan. When they reached near the Bairiya Bus Stand, a speeding Hyva truck hit the bike hard. The collision was so severe that both youths died on the spot. The other two young men on the bike, who were from the same village, were seriously injured and have been admitted to a nearby private hospital.
An Explosion of Anger on the Road, Blockade and Arson
As soon as the news of the accident spread, a crowd of local people gathered at the spot. Angered by the accident, the villagers blocked the Patna-Masaudhi road near Bairiya Mor. They started protesting by burning tires and demanded compensation from the administration for the families of the deceased. Due to the jam, a traffic jam of about one and a half kilometers long occurred and passengers had to face a lot of trouble. A tense atmosphere was temporarily created in the area.
Police from Four Police Stations Took Charge
Considering the seriousness of the situation, the administration sent police from Gopalpur, Gaurichak, Parsa Bazar and Ramakrishna Nagar police stations to the spot. Gopalpur Station Head Chandan Thakur, while talking to the media, confirmed the death of two Kanwariyas and said that the truck driver has fled from the spot. The police have seized the Hyva truck and started searching for the driver. Local officials tried to pacify the protesters and assured all possible help and government compensation to the families of the deceased.
Questions Raised on the Safety of Devotees
This tragic incident has raised serious questions about the safety of devotees during the Kanwar Yatra. Every year in the month of Sawan, thousands of Kanwariyas come out on the roads to bring Ganga Jal. In such a situation, negligence in traffic arrangements, speed control and safety measures gives rise to such incidents. Local people accused the administration that the movement of high-speed heavy vehicles is not restricted on this route, due to which many accidents happen every year. They demanded that Kanwar routes, especially on occasions like Sawan, should be made vehicle-free or controlled.
Administration's Response and Further Action
The Patna administration has informed that immediate compensation will be given to the family of the deceased from the Disaster Relief Fund. Also, a special team has been formed to arrest the truck driver. The injured are undergoing treatment at a private hospital and their condition remains critical. The administration has also assured that special traffic and security arrangements will be implemented on Kanwar Yatra routes in the future so that such accidents do not happen again.
