Ten Killed in Separate Road Accidents Across Chhattisgarh Within 24 Hours
A grim series of road tragedies unfolded in Chhattisgarh over a 24-hour period, claiming the lives of ten individuals in separate incidents across Surguja and Janjgir Champa districts. The fatalities included three women returning from a weekly market and three members of a family traveling in a car, highlighting a disturbing pattern of road safety failures in the region.
Deadly Crash on NH-130 Near Bhittikala Village
The most dramatic incident occurred on Sunday evening on National Highway-130 near Bhittikala village. A speeding Scorpio SUV lost control and ploughed into four women who were walking along the roadside after returning from a weekly market. Three of the women—identified as Rambai (50), Munni Bai (40), and Shyampati (35), all residents of neighbouring Jogibandh village—died instantly at the scene. Another woman sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Eyewitness accounts indicate the SUV was allegedly moving at high speed when it veered out of control, struck the pedestrians, and then continued forward before colliding with an oncoming trailer. The violent impact triggered widespread panic and outrage among local residents.
In the immediate aftermath, enraged locals apprehended the driver and allegedly assaulted him before police could arrive at the location. The driver suffered serious injuries and was admitted to the Lakhanpur community health centre for medical care.
Angry Protests and Highway Blockade
The deaths sparked furious protests from villagers, who placed the bodies of the deceased on the highway and blocked traffic for nearly three hours. This demonstration caused a massive traffic jam stretching approximately five kilometers, severely disrupting movement along this crucial route.
Police officials eventually managed to pacify the protesters after providing assurances of appropriate action. Authorities then cleared the roadway and transported the bodies for postmortem examinations as part of the investigation process.
Family Tragedy Near Sakalo Forest
In a separate early morning accident on Monday near Sakalo forest in the Gandhinagar region, a couple and their 25-year-old son were killed when a truck collided with their car. The deceased have been identified as Kailaram Toppo (52), his wife Manimati Toppo (50), and their son Rahul.
The family's driver, Sonu Kerketta, sustained serious injuries in the crash and was admitted to a hospital for treatment. Preliminary investigations suggest the family was returning home to their village from Ambikapur when the truck approaching from the opposite direction rammed into their vehicle.
Additional Fatal Accidents Across the Region
In another tragic incident in Ambikapur, two young men lost their lives when an auto-rickshaw collided with a pickup vehicle near the Manipur police station around 8:30 PM on Sunday. Both occupants of the auto-rickshaw suffered critical injuries in the crash and were rushed to a hospital, where they succumbed during treatment.
Meanwhile, in Janjgir Champa's Baloda region, a head-on collision between a car and a Bolero SUV in Buchihardi village resulted in the deaths of a father and his son. Police reports indicate the duo was returning from a wedding celebration when their vehicle met with the accident. The forceful impact caused their car to veer off the road and overturn.
These consecutive tragedies within a single day have raised serious concerns about road safety measures and enforcement in Chhattisgarh, particularly in rural areas where highway conditions and driver behavior often contribute to such fatal incidents.
