An ambulance caught in the traffic snarl in Ghaziabad. (Prem Nath Pandey)
Despite additional police personnel being deployed for the safety and security of kanwariyas, a devotee was killed in a hit-and-run case while two children were injured. An unidentified vehicle hit the three at Hero Honda Chowk and fled the spot.
The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning when 70-year-old Rampal was walking with his grandson Jayant (9) and his brother’s grandson Himanshu (12). They were walking on the service lane which has been portioned off for the devotees near Hero Honda Chowk.
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According to police, a speeding vehicle hit the trio around 5.30 am. Other devotees at the spot informed police about the accident. Police rushed the victims to Shiva hospital on Mata Road, an eyewitness said.
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“Rampal had a fractured rib which caused internal bleeding. He succumbed to his injuries around 10 pm on Sunday night. Himanshu received an injury in his head and other internal injuries but his condition is said to be stable,” said ACP (Crime) Rajesh Kumar. Jayant escaped with minor injuries.
Based on the statement given by one of the children, police registered an FIR against unknown persons under sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 304A (causing death by negligence).
This was the second death of a kanwariya reported on Sunday. Another devotee was killed in an accident in the DLF Phase II kanwar camp.
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