A tragic road accident in Odisha’s Kalahandi district turned into widespread unrest as villagers of Dumer Padar protested against alleged police inaction.
The incident occurred at Lathiaguda Chhak, where two individuals, Firoz and Dipendra, were involved in a severe motorcycle crash. While both were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, Firoz succumbed to his injuries, leaving the community devastated. Dipendra remains in critical condition at Burla Medical College and Hospital.
Outrage over the accident quickly escalated as villagers accused the authorities of negligence and demanded compensation for the bereaved family. On Sunday evening, hundreds of villagers gathered outside the Thuamul Rampur police station, blocking roads and raising slogans. The protest spiraled into violence, with demonstrators pelting stones at the police station, injuring nine police personnel, some requiring immediate medical attention.
In response, the police detained four individuals accused of instigating the violence. Meanwhile, the two motorcyclists involved in the accident were earlier arrested for rash and negligent driving. Investigations into the incident are ongoing to determine further accountability.
This tragic event highlights the critical need for better road safety measures and transparent handling of incidents to restore public trust in law enforcement.
