Jamshedpur Road Blockade Resolved After Overnight Protest Over Fatal Accident
In a tragic incident that sparked widespread outrage, traffic on the busy Tata–Hata road in Jamshedpur remained completely blocked until the early hours of Sunday. This disruption followed a protest by local villagers after two teenagers lost their lives in a horrific accident involving a speeding truck on Saturday evening.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The accident occurred at Potka Chowk in Kudada, under the jurisdiction of the Sundernagar police station. Two young boys, Durga Hembram, aged 15, and Marshal Soren, aged 14, were riding a motorcycle when they were struck by a truck. Both victims, residents of Kedo village, were returning home from a local market at the time of the incident. Tragically, they succumbed to their injuries on the spot, according to police reports.
Villagers' Immediate Response and Demands
Following the collision, the truck driver attempted to flee the scene after abandoning the vehicle. However, enraged locals chased him down, apprehended him, and took matters into their own hands. The mob vandalised the truck and assaulted the driver before tying him to the bonnet as a sign of protest.
The villagers then proceeded to block the Tata–Hata road, refusing to hand over the driver or allow police to transport the bodies for post-mortem examination. Their demands were clear and urgent: they sought ex-gratia compensation for the families of the deceased and the construction of a speed breaker at the accident site to prevent future tragedies.
Negotiations and Resolution
Police officials and local representatives engaged in intense negotiations throughout the night with the truck owner to address the villagers' concerns. The protest caused a massive traffic jam, stretching nearly 6 kilometers on both sides of the road. This gridlock left numerous vehicles, including those traveling to and from Chaibasa and Odisha, stranded for hours.
Finally, around 9 am on Sunday, the blockade was lifted after an agreement was reached on a compensation amount. Ajit Kumar, the officer-in-charge of Sundernagar police station, confirmed that the issue had been resolved, allowing normal traffic flow to resume.
Legal and Medical Follow-Up
Following the resolution, the driver was formally arrested by the police. The bodies of the two teenagers were sent to MGMMCH for post-mortem examination as part of the standard investigative procedure. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety and community responses to accidents in the region.
