A young life was tragically cut short in Karnataka's Mandya district on Tuesday after a horrific road accident linked to a common but hazardous rural practice. The incident, which also left a woman fighting for her life, has once again spotlighted the dangers of drying crops on public roads.
How the Mandya Tragedy Unfolded
The accident occurred near the Ashoknagar Food Park in KR Pet taluk. A 19-year-old youth, identified as Prajwal from PB Manchanahalli, was behind the wheel of a car. As the vehicle traversed a stretch of the main road, its tires encountered ragi (finger millet) crops that had been spread across the asphalt for threshing and drying.
The car reportedly skidded on the loose grains, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle then overturned with severe force. The impact of the crash proved fatal for Prajwal, who sustained critical injuries and died at the spot.
Critical Injuries and Police Investigation
Another occupant of the car, 26-year-old Kavya, was seriously injured in the rollover. She was rushed from the accident site to a nearby hospital, where she remains under medical care. Authorities have confirmed that her condition is critical.
Following the tragedy, the KR Pet rural police have registered a formal case and initiated a detailed investigation into the circumstances. The primary focus is on the violation of traffic and safety norms by using the busy road as a drying yard.
Official Warning to Farmers Over Road Safety
In the wake of this preventable accident, the police have issued a strong caution to the local farming community. They have highlighted the grave safety concerns associated with spreading harvests on public thoroughfares, a widespread practice especially during the harvest season.
This tragic event underscores a persistent conflict between agricultural necessity and public safety. While farmers often lack adequate space for drying crops, using roads not only damages the produce with dust and pollutants but also creates extremely dangerous driving conditions, leading to fatal accidents like the one that claimed Prajwal's life.
The incident serves as a somber reminder for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and the urgent need to create community-based solutions for farmers to dry their crops safely, away from traffic.
