At least six people have been reported dead after Kanwar devotees were run over by a truck in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras in the wee hours of Saturday, 23 July.
The incident took place at around 2 am at the Agra-Aligarh road. Five died on the spot while one was critically injured, and died during treatment. Another injured person is receiving treatment.
The devotees from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh had been taking part in the annual pilgrimage, and had been returning from Haridwar.
The Hathras Police has said that the bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem, while a case has been registered in connection with the incident on the basis of a complaint by family members.
"Upon receiving information about a road accident that took place under the Sadabad police station, the injured were immediately sent to the hospital by the police, and the dead bodies were sent to the mortuary for post-mortem. Necessary legal action is being taken by registering the case under relevant sections, on the basis of the complaint of the family members," the police said.
A probe is underway into the matter.
"We have received info about the driver, he will be nabbed soon," ADG Agra Zone Rajeev Krishna was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
CM Yogi 'Deeply Grieved', Ex Gratia Announced
"Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in road accident in Hathras district. He has directed the concerned officers to provide proper treatment to the injured people and to provide all possible help and relief to the affected," a statement from the Uttar Pradesh CM's office said.
Meanwhile, an ex gratia compensation of Rs 1 lakh has been announced for the kin of each of the deceased by the Office of Deputy Collector, Sadabad.
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