Seven mowed by truck, triggers protest

Seven persons were killed and 19 others injured when a truck ran over them while they were returning home after Durga idol immersion and Dusshera celebrations here triggering a protest in the area, police said today.

The incident occurred last night in Gosalpur area killing seven on the spot after which enraged locals set afire the truck and thrashe the driver, Gosalpur Police Station In-charge RP Mishra said.

Police managed to save him and brought him to Gosalpur Police Station. Police resorted to lathicharge and Section 144 was imposed in Gosalpur to quell violence, the In-charge said.

Meanwhile, in view of the situation, station in-charge R P Mishra was suspended this morning, Jabalpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr Ashish said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh each to the next of kin of those who died in the incident and Rs 20,000 each to injured persons.

The deceased were identified as Dileep Burman (25), Deepak Burman (24), Pankaj Pandey (40), Girija Burman (55) Sunny Jain (22), Ajay Agrawal (40) and Ram Milan (40), police said.

The injured have been admitted to a local hospital.