One person was killed and several others were seriously injured as a speeding car on Friday ploughed into a religious procession to immerse a Durga idol in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur district on the last day of Durga Puja festival.
Police said the incident took place in the Pathalgaon area of Jashpur district.
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A media report quoted witnesses as saying that the driver of the car deliberately targetted the gathering.
A video of the incident, where the car is seen mowing down a number of people, went viral on social media on Friday.
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It has been reported that the Durga idol immersion procession set out from Pathalgaon at around 1.30 p.m. when the maroon-coloured Sumo, being driven at a speed of 100-120 km per hour, crashed into it, throwing people around ‘like footballs’ and crushing others.
A youth died on the spot.
The deceased was identified as 21-year-old Gaurav Agarwal.
As per a report, at least 12 people were seriously injured including four critically in the incident.
Jashpur superintendent of police Vijay Agarwal told media persons that the driver of the car, who was driving the vehicle recklessly, was caught by the people and thrashed badly.
A huge quantity of ganja was also recovered from the vehicle, which was set on fire by the enraged people, the police officer said.
The shocking incident created anger among the locals.
The locals blocked the Gumla-Katni highway along with the body of the deceased youth in protest against the incident.
The protestors said the young driver was known for reckless driving in the market and other areas and was warned many times not to indulge in such unsafe activities.