A Class-IX student of Sri Ganesh Girls’ High School at Dhanupali in the town, Itishree Dhar, was crushed to death by a speeding truck in Putibandh area under Dhanupali police limits on Saturday. The truck driver managed to flee after the accident.
The accident triggered tension in the area as locals set the truck on fire and blocked road disrupting traffic on the busy NH-6 for more than four hours demanding adequate compensation to the victim’s family and action against the driver of the vehicle. The protestors also demanded restriction in movement of heavy vehicles on the road during school hours besides development of a bypass road.
Eyewitnesses said Itishree was on the way to her house in Sindurpankh area located on the outskirts of the town, when the truck coming from opposite direction hit the her killing her on the spot. Soon after the accident, police and officials of district administration rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the mob.
However, the road blockade was removed after Deputy Collector Nihar Ranjan Dash assured to arrest the erring driver within two days, besides announcing payment of `10,000 to the family of the deceased. He also impressed upon the protestors that issue of restriction on movement of heavy vehicles during peak hours and development of a bypass road would also be taken up with the authorities.