Daltonganj: Two persons, including a 17-year-old boy, were killed and two others were injured after tree branches fell on them during a storm that swept through Palamu district late on Wednesday.
Incident at Haidernagar
Kamdeo Chandravanshi, 40, a resident of Bihar, was killed when a branch from a peepal tree fell on him on Marghatia road under Haidernagar police station, around 85 km from here. Chandravanshi, who was riding his motorcycle, died on the spot. His pillion rider, Anil Ram, sustained grievous injuries and was referred to a higher centre in Bihar. “Neither of them was wearing a helmet,” said Haidernagar police station’s officer incharge Afzal Ansari. He further said the motorcycle was crushed under the weight of the branch.
Second Incident at Naudeeha
In a separate incident, a 17-year-old boy, Pappu Kumar, was killed at Naudeeha under Lesliganj police station after a mahua tree branch fell on him while he was travelling in a pickup van carrying DJ equipment. Lesliganj OC Uttam Kumar Rai confirmed the death.
Compensation and Official Response
Officials said the state government has notified storm, including gale and dust storm, as a disaster, making victims eligible for compensation. Additional collector and disaster relief nodal officer Kundan Kumar said that the Haidernagar incident would be examined for ex gratia relief. “Post-mortem has been conducted, which is mandatory for compensation,” officials said.
