Woman killed in road mishap; locals stage road blockade

Bhubaneswar: Palpable tension gripped Khandagiri area of the State capital following the death of a woman after a speeding SUV hit her near Naka Gate in Bhubaneswar this morning.

The deceased woman has been identified as Labanya Swain of Chalasahi slum situated near Khandagiri-Kalinga studio main road.

According to reports, the mishap took place when the speeding vehicle hit the woman resulting in her death at the spot while she was returning home after taking a bath.

Following the mishap, hundreds of irate locals staged a road blockade by placing the dead body on the road demanding compensation for the kin of the deceased. Vehicular traffic on Kalinga Studio-Khandagiri road was affected due to the blockade.

After receiving information, Khandagiri police reached the spot and pacified the irate locals. Later the road blockade was withdrawn after the police officials assured to look into the demands.

“The driver had fled the spot while leaving behind the vehicle. We then staged a demonstration by placing the dead body on the road. The owner of the vehicle has been called to the police station to resolve the matter,” said a local.

Meanwhile¸ cops have initiated an investigation into the incident and a manhunt has been launched to nab the absconding driver.

In another mishap more than 30 passengers were injured after a bus collided with a truck head-on on NH-149 near Gotamara under Banarpal police limits in Angul district late on Tuesday night.