A speeding trailer truck collided head-on with a police Bolero near Jharsuguda Sadar Police Station early Sunday morning, killing five policemen and injuring three others.
The accident turned National Highway 49 into a scene of devastation.
The deceased officers include Kashiram Bhoi (APR), Niranjan Kujur (Drill Sub-Inspector), Debadatta Sa (APR), Lingaraj Dhurua (APR Havildar), and Bhaktabandhu Mirdha (Home Guard). Their sudden deaths shocked the district police and the local community.
The injured policemen are Dubaraj Mirig (APR), Akash Naik (APR), and Rajiv Bharsagar (Sergeant). Doctors shifted Dubaraj Mirig and driver Govind Chakraborty to Burla Medical College due to their critical condition, while Akash Naik remains under treatment at Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital.
Reports said eight officers from Brajrajnagar Reserve Police were returning in the Bolero when the trailer, loaded with chips and bearing registration number CG 04-MH 6383, rammed into their vehicle. The impact crushed the Bolero completely, leaving bodies trapped inside. Locals and police teams rushed to the spot and pulled out the victims.
District Collector Kunal Motiram Chavan and Superintendent of Police G.R. Raghavendra visited the site and reviewed the situation. Police detained the trailer driver and seized the vehicle for investigation.
Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy expressed condolences to the bereaved families and urged Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to provide financial assistance to the victims’ kin.
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