Angry Villagers Block Alwar-Jaipur Highway After Fatal Jugad Crash
Hundreds of angry villagers blocked the Alwar-Thanagazi-Jaipur road on Sunday. They protested after a collision between two vehicles left one person dead and a dozen others injured. The accident involved a jugad vehicle, a home-made automobile built from scrapped parts and motors.
Accident Details and Community Outrage
The jugad vehicle was carrying around 30 people when it collided with another vehicle and overturned. According to police reports, the vehicle transported people from Arniya village in Bandikui. They were heading to a joint mahapanchayat of the Denotified Tribes (DNT) and Nath community. The event was organized in the Bharthari Dham area under the Akbarpur police station jurisdiction.
On the way, the vehicle got into an accident. Lakshman Nath, aged 65, died on the spot. Several others sustained injuries. Authorities rushed the injured to Akbarpur Hospital for treatment.
After the accident, hundreds of Nath community members reached the site. They were also heading to the mahapanchayat. The protesters blocked the highway by placing the victim's body on the road. This action caused a massive traffic jam stretching nearly seven kilometers.
Protest Demands and Police Intervention
The protesters voiced several key demands. They called for the immediate seizure of the vehicle that caused the accident. They also demanded the arrest of the culprit responsible for the crash. Furthermore, they sought compensation of Rs 1 crore for the deceased's family. Additionally, they insisted on a government job for one family member of the victim.
Akbarpur police officers reached the spot quickly. They tried to persuade the protesters to end the blockade. As the situation escalated, Malakheda SDM Navjyoti Kanwariya arrived at the site. She held discussions with a five-member community delegation. Representatives of the Nath community later submitted a formal memorandum to the SDM.
Resolution and Aftermath
Around 5 PM, the roadblock was finally lifted. This followed assurances from the SDM regarding their demands. The deceased's family also consented to a post-mortem examination after the assurances.
The blockade disrupted traffic for more than five hours. Several commuters found themselves stranded due to the protest. Among those affected were candidates traveling for the REET exam. The incident highlighted significant safety concerns regarding jugad vehicles on busy highways.
