A violent altercation over reckless driving on a national highway in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district culminated in the tragic death of a 50-year-old man on Friday. The incident, stemming from a dispute about wrong-side driving, has ignited public fury and brought the contentious issue of illegal sand mining back into sharp focus.
Deadly Confrontation on NH-32
The fatal episode unfolded on the Rajganj-Mahuda stretch of National Highway 32 under the jurisdiction of the Katras police station. According to details, a tractor, allegedly overloaded with illegally mined sand, was travelling on the wrong side of the road. Mahavir Mahto (50), who was riding his motorcycle with his daughter, objected to the tractor's dangerous manoeuvre near the Kanko Musa Pahari bridge.
This objection sparked a heated argument between Mahavir and the tractor driver. Eyewitness accounts and the victim's daughter state that the enraged tractor driver then deliberately rammed his heavy vehicle into the motorcycle. The impact was devastating, crushing the bike and killing Mahavir Mahto on the spot. His daughter, Arti Devi, narrowly escaped serious injury or death.
Public Outrage and Road Blockade
As news of the brutal killing spread, anger surged through the local community. Irate residents swiftly blocked the main Rajganj-Mahuda road (NH-32), causing massive traffic snarls on both sides of the crucial highway. The protesters voiced dual demands: an immediate ban on the rampant illegal sand mining and transportation in the area, and the swift arrest of the accused tractor driver.
"After the argument, the tractor driver deliberately ran over my father and fled the spot," a traumatised Arti Devi recounted. She revealed that her father was taking her to an examination centre in Baliapur for a Group-D exam when their journey was violently cut short.
Police Response and Underlying Issues
Police teams from multiple stations, including Katras, Tetulmari, Baghmara, and Barora, rushed to the scene. After considerable effort, they managed to pacify the crowd and restore traffic flow. The police took custody of Mahavir Mahto's body for a postmortem examination.
Baghmara DSP Purushottam Kumar confirmed the arrest of the accused tractor driver and an associate. The tractor involved in the incident has also been seized. "An investigation is underway, and further action will be taken after receiving a written complaint. It is being examined whether the act was deliberate or a road accident. No conclusion can be made at present," stated the DSP. The identity of the driver was not disclosed until late evening.
However, the incident has raised serious questions about law enforcement in the region. Local villagers allege that illegal sand transportation has continued unabated for a long time, with authorities failing to take effective action. This perceived inaction, they claim, has emboldened those involved in the illicit trade, leading to such brazen and violent acts.
