Jharsuguda: At least two police personnel were killed and over 29 others injured when a vehicle carrying the jawans of Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP) collided head-on with a truck near a petrol pump at Lakhanpur in Belpahar area on NH-49 of Jharsuguda district this morning.
The deceased were identified as Prashant Behera of Puri and Shankar Prasad Pant. A total of 14 injured jawans were rushed to a private hospital at Belpahar while 15 others were admitted to Central Hospital at Brajarajnagar in the district. Later, seven critical personnel were shifted to VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla after their condition deteriorated.
Reportedly, the police vehicle carrying 40 trainee jawans of OSAP’s 2nd Battalion met with the accident at around 6.30 am while they were enroute to Banharpalli for deployment at the Chief Minister's scheduled programmee today.
After getting information, police rushed to the spot and sent the injured to the hospital. Traffic movement on the NH has been affected due to the mishap.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the death of two OSAP jawans in the road mishap and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved families. He also ordered free treatment of the injured jawans.
The CM announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each and a government job for one of the family members of the two deceased policemen. Patnaik also declared Rs 1 lakh compensation and free treatment for the injured jawans.