4 YEAR OLD GIRL CRUSHED TO DEATH

4 YEAR OLD GIRL CRUSHED TO DEATH

28-JULY-ENG 16

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------Near the Municipal Corporation turn in the Town Police Station area, a speeding and out-of-control 'Toto' (electric rickshaw) violently struck three people—including two sisters—who were standing outside their home. A four-year-old girl died on the spot in the accident, while her elder sister and maternal aunt sustained serious injuries. Chaos ensued in the area following the incident.

The deceased girl has been identified as Mamta Kumari, the four-year-old daughter of Ghurfekan Ram, a resident of the Scheduled Caste *Tola* (hamlet) in Municipal Corporation Ward No. 10 under the Town Police Station area. The injured include her elder sister, Soni Kumari, and Kranti Devi—the child's maternal aunt and wife of Sadhu Ram, a resident of the same neighborhood. With the help of locals, both injured individuals were taken to Ara Sadar Hospital for treatment.

It is reported that all three were outside their home when the accident occurred. A speeding 'Toto' (electric rickshaw) suddenly went out of control and struck them. The impact was so severe that the young girl died on the spot, while the other two sustained serious injuries.

Following the incident, the Toto driver fled the scene with the vehicle. The driver's escape sparked outrage among locals and the victim's family. Upon hearing the news of the girl's death, a large crowd gathered at the site and demanded the driver's arrest.

Agitated family members and locals placed the girl's body on the road near the Municipal Corporation intersection, causing a traffic blockade.

Protesters burned tires and shouted slogans against the administration. The blockade resulted in long queues of vehicles on both sides, completely disrupting traffic flow.

The deceased girl's mother, Gyanti Devi—who works as a sanitation worker for the Municipal Corporation—was left inconsolable by her daughter's death. The family is devastated, and a pall of gloom has descended upon the entire neighborhood. Locals demanded that the administration immediately arrest the driver responsible and provide adequate compensation to the affected family.

Upon receiving the information, the Town Police arrived at the scene and attempted to pacify the crowd. The police have initiated an investigation and are searching for the absconding driver. Authorities stated that the driver would be identified and arrested soon, and further legal action would be taken.