Four Kanwarias killed in Agra road accident

Four Kanwarias were run over by a truck in Agra district on Sunday, leading to their irate fellow travellers smashing vehicles, pelting stones and blocking traffic for several hours, officials said.

The kanwarias, who go to Haridwar and carry Ganga water to Shiva temples, were returning from Soron in Kasganj district and heading to Dhandhupura in Taj Ganj area when they were hit by a speeding truck at Naraich. At least 10 others were injured.

As the agitated kanwarias protested, district officials tried hard to persuade them to let the traffic move. The situation was brought under control late on Sunday evening.

District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar announced Rs.2 lakh compensation from the chief minister's relief fund each to the kin of the deceased.

City magistrate Rekha S. Chauhan said the truck has been seized and a search was on for the driver who fled. The injured were sent to the emergency ward of the S.N. Medical College and Hospital.