Three persons died in a massive road accident at Raitoli under Torpa police station of Khunti district on Tuesday night. Angry villagers blocked Torpa-Karra Road alleging that they were hit by a truck carrying illegal sand.
Deceased persons were identified as Fagu Nag (68), ChaturKanshi (50), and BhaginderKanshi (40). As many as 11 persons were injured, whose condition is said to be very serious. They were identified as DhirjaKanshi, BalkishunSahu, AbhayKanshi, BalramKanshi, DilipSahu, UmeshKanshi, Aman Nag, and Bhaua. They are natives of Barkuli village.
Injured persons were sent to the referral hospital where a team of doctors headed by Dr. NageshwarManjhi treated them. But some of them whose situation was very serious were referred to RIMS in Ranchi.
Villagers demanded a ban on the operation of trucks and tractors on Torpa-Karra Road involved in illegal sand mining. They demanded government jobs for the family members of the deceased. The police could remove the road blockade around 2 PM after senior police and administrative officials reached the spot and assured action.
On Wednesday morning villagers along with BJP MLA from TorpaKoche Munda came to the police station and held a sit-in demonstration in support of the demands of the villagers. A delegation led by MLA is also set to meet DC of Khunti.
The deceased along with 11 others were traveling in a four-wheeler to attend a marriage party at Kashira village in Gumla when a truck carrying sand hit their vehicle. Three died and 11 others were injured.
Khunti MP and union minister Arjun Munda expressed grief over their death. Former chief minister and BJP leader BabulalMarandi expressed shock over the death. He demanded a ban on illegal sand mining in Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, Khunti police have lodged an FIR against unknown persons and it would also investigate whether the truck was illegally carrying sand.