1 devotee killed, 11 injured in separate accidents in Odisha

A 'Kanwaria', a devotee of Lord Shiva, was killed and 11 others were injured in two separate road accidents in Odisha's Ganjam district, police said today.

The accidents happened yesterday, the police said.

A devotee, 35-year-old Bhikari Behera, a resident of Keuta Sonepur was killed yesterday after he was run over by an unknown vehicle at Randha, about 15-km from here, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Berhampur Sadar, A K Mohanty, said.

At the time Behera along with some other residents of his village were going on their way to a Siva temple at Ralaba to pour holy water on idol, the SDPO said.

The body of the deceased was sent to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here for post-mortem examination, he said.

The vehicle involved in the was yet to be identified, he added.

In another incident, at least 11 'Kanwarias', including three woman, were injured, when a van carrying them overturned at Dhaugaonunder, under the jurisdiction of Dharakote police station yesterday, the Inspector In-Charge of Dharakote police station, Subhalaxmi Pujari, said.

'Kanwarias' are devotees of Lord Shiva who fetch water from rivers and other sacred water bodies and carry the holy water to offer to Lord Shiva in temples during the month of 'Sravan'(July-August).