Mob ransacks 70 trucks following death of elderly woman

Balasore: The death of an elderly woman in a road mishap triggered tension at Godhibasa area near Balasore Railway Station today. Irate over the rash driving and negligence on the part of a truck driver, irate mob went berserk and ransacked over 70 trucks parked inside the nearby Malgodown area.

According to sources, a truck which was reversing hit the elderly woman killing her on the spot.

Property inside the local truck owners’ association was also ransacked by the mob.

“My sister was standing when she was mowed down by the truck. Nobody could save her as there was no helper to guide the driver while reserving the heavy vehicle,” said a relative of the deceased.

Following the incident, locals also burnt tyres and staged a road blockade.

“Truck drivers drive under the influence of alcohol while several drivers are even juveniles. We want such irregularities to be checked immediately,” said a local resident.

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Senior police officials on the other hand informed that already financial assistance of Rs 10,000 has been sanctioned for the family of the deceased from the Red Cross Fund.

“We are investigating the matter and the truck involved in the accident has been identified. We will soon nab the driver,” said Jayant Behera, a senior police official.