Tragic Accident Claims Life in Keonjhar: Community Demands Action

Fatal Incident in Bankamaruni Village

In a tragic incident on Sunday morning, a 32-year-old man named Rajesh Munda, also known as Chemuttu, lost his life when a trailer driver lost control of the vehicle, crashing into his backyard in Bankamaruni village, located within the Sadar police jurisdiction of Keonjhar district.

Reports indicate that Rajesh was attempting to drive away stray cattle that were eating straw from his haystack when the trailer, which was traveling from Keonjhar to Joda on NH-20, veered off the road and struck him, resulting in his immediate death.

Authorities from the Sadar police arrived at the scene, where they recovered Rajesh's body and seized the trailer for further investigation.

The incident led to unrest in the community, prompting locals to block National Highway-20, demanding compensation for Rajesh's family and the implementation of safety measures. Residents emphasized that Rajesh was the primary provider for his family, which includes his wife and two children.

The blockade caused significant traffic disruptions, leaving numerous vehicles stranded on both sides of the highway.

Eventually, police and administrative officials intervened, convincing the protesters to lift the blockade, which they subsequently did.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Prasad Chandra Khatua confirmed, "The road has been cleared for traffic, and an investigation is currently in progress."

Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of NH-20 and other roads in the Keonjhar district, which have become notorious for frequent accidents leading to fatalities and injuries. Local residents expressed their fears as heavy vehicles regularly traverse this route to transport minerals, exacerbating the deteriorating road conditions. Reckless driving by some motorists has further contributed to the alarming rate of accidents.