Three Killed in Jharkhand Road Accident; Highway Blocked

Lohardaga: A road accident on National Highway-39 claimed the lives of three people, including a mother and her son, on Friday. The incident, which involved a liquor-laden goods vehicle and a scooty, led to a two-hour blockade and chaotic scenes on the Kuru-Ranchi main road.

Fatal Journey to the Hospital

The victims—identified as Bishun Bhagatain, her son Kishore Bhagat, and nephew Niranjan Oraon—were residents of Ronhaiya Kolsimri village. They were traveling by scooty to Mandar Hospital to visit Bishun’s husband, who is currently undergoing treatment there.

According to police, a goods vehicle traveling from Ranchi toward Palamu rammed head-on into the scooty near Dhuluakhunta. The impact killed Kishore and Niranjan instantly. Bishun Bhagatain succumbed to her injuries while being rushed to Lohardaga Sadar Hospital.

Chaos and Looting at the Scene

The collision caused the goods vehicle to overturn in the middle of the highway, scattering hundreds of liquor bottles across the road. As news of the accident spread, a large crowd of locals gathered. While many were there to mourn, police had to intervene to chase away several individuals who attempted to loot the scattered liquor.

Kuru police station incharge Ajit Kumar arrived at the spot to restore order and manage the volatile situation.

Protest and Compensation

Grief-stricken villagers blocked the highway for nearly two hours, demanding immediate compensation for the bereaved families. Vehicular movement on the Kuru-Ranchi stretch came to a complete standstill during the protest.

The blockade was finally lifted after Circle Officer Santosh Oraon and police officials held discussions with the protesters. As immediate relief, the administration provided the families with cash for last rites and two quintals of rice.

Injuries to Truck Occupants

The three occupants of the goods vehicle—Vinat Munda, Vikas Minz, and Tinku Ram—also sustained injuries. Following primary treatment, the seriously injured Vinat and Vikas were referred to RIMS, Ranchi, for advanced medical care.