Speeding Car Mows Down Labourers During Roadside Meal in Jabalpur
A speeding car ran over a group of labourers who were having a meal by the roadside in Jabalpur on Sunday afternoon. The tragic incident left two women dead and eleven others injured. Seven of the injured labourers are in critical condition at the medical college hospital.
Incident Details and Immediate Aftermath
The accident occurred around 2 pm at Ekta Chowk, which falls under the Barela police station limits. Officials stated that the victims had just finished cleaning iron railings on the road divider. They were sitting by the roadside to eat their lunch when a white car, coming from Barela towards Jabalpur, suddenly ploughed into them.
The driver did not stop and fled the scene immediately after the collision. Local residents witnessed the horrifying event and quickly alerted the police. They also called the Dial 108 ambulance service for emergency medical assistance.
Barela police station in-charge Anil Patel reached the spot with his team promptly. He arranged for the injured to be transported to the medical college hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Patel confirmed that a search operation has been launched to trace the absconding driver.
Victims and Eyewitness Account
Police identified the deceased women as Chainvati Bai and Lachcho Bai, both aged 40. All victims, including the injured, were residents of Bihariya village in Mandla district. They had been working as labourers in Jabalpur for approximately one and a half months.
One of the injured labourers, Mahant Uike, described the suddenness of the attack. He said the car appeared without warning and ran over his co-workers before speeding away. "Before we could react, several of our companions were lying injured on the road," Uike recounted.
The injured have been identified as Geeta Bai Uike (40), Gumsha Bai (40), Meera Bai (45), Rajkumari Bai (35), Varsha Kushram (45), Jamuna Bai (40), Krishna Bai (40), Hori Bai (35), Bhagwati Bai (35), Gyanvati Bai (41), and Laxmi Gond (40).
Police Investigation and Ongoing Efforts
Police are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas and toll plazas to identify the vehicle and its driver. Anil Patel stated, "Treatment of the injured is ongoing. Efforts are on to identify and arrest the car driver at the earliest."
The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading to this tragic hit-and-run incident. The community remains shocked by the sudden loss of life and the severe injuries sustained by the labourers.
