The Holi celebrations turned sour for the families of three youths, who were killed while 16 others who were injured, three of them seriously, in separate road mishaps that took place in and around the steel city during the past 48- hours.
Two persons were killed on the spot and 13 others injured, when the mini-bus they were travelling in turned turtle at Chandil-Nimdih stretch on the NH-33 under Nimdih police station area in the adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district on Thursday evening. The victims, were on their way to Patamda, when the min-bus they were travelling in was overturned.
Circle inspector Chandil, OP Singh said that the mishap took place as the mini-bus in which the victims were board was moving at a very high speed. "The immediate task of the police was to ensure life to all the injured. However, we will check the fitness of the bus and inquire with the bus owner about the maintenance of the vehicle before going ahead with the penal course," said a police official.
According to police, most of the injured had sustained head injuries. The driver of the vehicle, however, managed to escape injured. The police said the driver had fled the scene as they reached the spot about within half-an-hour of the incident took place.
Singh said that at the MGM medical college hospital, eight injured were admitted and rest of the five was released after first-aid. Three of the injured were later shifted to Tata Main Hospital, where their condition is said to be serious.
In another mishap near the Fire Temple, a youth was fatally injured when the bike he was riding was hit by a speeding car on Straight Mile Road in Bistupur on Thursday afternoon.
Officer-in-charge of Bistupur police station, AK Yadav said that the name and whereabouts of the youth killed in the road mishap was yet to be ascertained. He pointed out that a police party which reached the spot after the mishap, confiscated the car, but its driver had already absconded.
Apart from these two fatal mishaps, another mishap took place inside the Jubilee Park where an SUV was overturned at turning. Though six persons were board in the vehicle, no one was injured in the incident. In this connection, also the police have registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the vehicle's driver.
Elaborate security arrangements were made in the Steel City to prevent any untoward incidents during the festival of colours Holi. Patrolling parties were also mobile at the main thoroughfares of the city.