CUTTACK: Tension ran high at Darghabazar here following death of a five-year-old boy after a tractor ran over him on Sunday morning. The boy was identified as Sayed Shoib Ali, son of Sayed Akbar Ali of Saitani Bagicha.
According to sources, Akbar and his ailing son were returning home from a city hospital after treatment on a motorcycle when a tractor engaged by Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) for garbage disposal hit the vehicle in front of Kadam Rasul near Darghabazar police station.
After the collision, the boy fell down and the rear wheel of the tractor ran over him killing him on the spot. Following the incident, irate locals alleging rash driving by the tractor driver torched the vehicle.
Being informed, police rushed to the spot, rescued the driver from the clutches of angry mob and took him to Darghabazar police station. The irate locals, who then staged a road blockade, also gheraoed the police station demanding handing over of the accused driver to them and compensation.
When police tried to pacify them and bring the situation under control, the irate locals pelted stones at them. As a result, three cops including IIC of Mangalabag police station sustained injuries and a police van was partially damaged.
Later, DCP Sanjeev Arora rushed to the spot with three platoons of police force and resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the angry mob.
The accused driver, K Gopal of Patapola, has been arrested and investigation is on, said Darghabazar IIC Ramesh Chandra Mahana.
Meanwhile, locals have demanded stringent action against the errant driver and adequate compensation to the family of the deceased.