Speeding car mows down people on way to immerse Durga idol in Chhattisgarh's Pathalgaon, 1 dead

A speeding car mowed down people on their way to immerse a Durga idol in Pathalgaon in Chhattisgarh's Jashpur district on Friday.

Vijay Aggarwal, Superintendent of Police in Jashpur, confirmed that one person died in the incident. Sixteen others were taken to the hospital with injuries. Two of them have been referred to other hospitals after X-rays established that they had suffered fractures, said block medical officer James Minj.

Tension prevailed in the area after the incident as angry locals set several vehicles on fire. The car driver was also beaten up. The locals went to Pathalgaon police station to protest against what had happened. They alleged that the vehicle concerned was filled with ganja. However, officials have said the matter is yet to be



investigated.

As per information received from the office of the Superintendent of Police in Jashpur, both the accused in the case have been arrested.

They have been identified as 21-year-old Bablu Vishwakarma and 26-year-old Shishupal Sahu. Residents of Madhya Pradesh, they were passing through Chhattisgarh when the incident occurred.

Reacting to the incident, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel wrote on Twitter, "The Jashpur incident is very sad and heartbreaking. The culprits were immediately arrested. Action has also been taken against the police officers who prima facie appeared guilty. An inquiry has been ordered. No one will be spared. Justice will be done."