Jashpur (Chhattisgarh): One killed and many others injured after a speeding car ploughed through a Dussehra procession at Pathalgaon in Jashpur district on Friday afternoon.
According to police, the locals have taken out Durga idols on a procession for immersion at around 1.30 pm.
The incident was caught on camera by several onlookers who were recording the procession in Pathalgaon.
At least two videos show the car - Mahindra Quanto - knocking into the crowd at high speed, tossing people into air.
The injured were rushed to a hospital in the vicinity where the doctors declared one 'brought dead', and 16 others are being treated for their injuries. The deceased is identified as Gaurav Agarwal, 21. Four of the 16 injured continued to be critical.
Earlier, the locals managed to bring the car to a halt after a hot chase. They caught hold of the driver and another occupant.
The duo was handed over to the police after a sound thrashing. After the locals found out the car was carrying ganja in large quantities, they set the car afire.
They also gheraoed the Pathalgaon Police station seeking action into the incident. The crowd resorted to sloganeering against the policemen and blocked traffic.
A mild tussle broke out between the men-in-khaki and the locals. A section from the crowd snatched the cameras of the media persons after realising that their acts were being recorded.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Vijay Agarwal said the reckless driver was caught by the people and thrashed badly. "A huge quantity of ganja was also found in the vehicle, which was set on fire by the enraged people," he said.
Police said the arrested duo is from Madhya Pradesh and were passing through Chhatisgarh with the contrabands when the mishap occurred.
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh demanded the incumbent Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel to dole out Rs 50 lakhs solatium to the bereaved, ANI reported.
"It's unfortunate. A ganja smuggler's car comes and crushes people leaving 16 injured, one dead. No police was present. CM should take cognizance of this matter. If he can go to Lakhimpur Kheri then he can go here also," Singh said. He also demanded that the critically injured be airlifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur and the SP be removed.
Also read: Sibal says 'attention diverted' from Lakhimpur Kheri incident through Aryan Khan case
