ONE KILLED NEAR KALI TEMPLE

ONE KILLED NEAR KALI TEMPLE

25-MARCH-ENG 17

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------A tragic road accident occurred on Monday morning on the Bihiya-Bihta State Highway, located within the jurisdiction of the Bihiya police station in Bhojpur district. Near the Dharhara Kali Temple, an unidentified, out-of-control vehicle struck and ran over an elderly farmer, resulting in his death. Following the incident, tension gripped the area, and irate villagers staged a road blockade for several hours, demanding compensation.

According to reports, the deceased has been identified as Shivji Yadav, 59, the son of the late Haribhajan Yadav and a resident of Doghra village within the Bihiya police station area. He was a farmer by profession. Meanwhile, W Kumar Ojha, a resident of the deceased's village, stated that Shivji Yadav's cow had recently given birth to a calf; consequently, he was heading to the Bihiya market on Monday morning to purchase supplies and jaggery for the animal. As he reached the vicinity of the Kali Temple in Dharhara village on foot, a speeding vehicle approaching from behind... An unidentified vehicle struck him with great force.

Following the accident, with the assistance of local residents, the critically injured farmer was immediately rushed to the Bihiya Community Health Center (CHC). However, he succumbed to his injuries while en route to the hospital and was declared dead upon arrival by the doctors. The news of his death plunged his family members into deep grief and turmoil.

Outraged by the incident, villagers and family members staged a protest against the administration, blocking the main road near the Bihiya intersection. The protesters demanded that appropriate government compensation be provided to the deceased's family without delay. Due to the road blockade, long queues of vehicles formed on both sides of the highway, causing severe difficulties for commuters and commercial vehicles, and bringing traffic movement to a complete standstill.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Bihiya Station House Officer (SHO) Sundeshwar Kumar arrived at the scene with a police force. After considerable effort, he succeeded in clearing the blockade by assuring the protesters that due legal action would be taken and government assistance would be secured for them. Subsequently, the police took custody of the body and sent it to the Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The deceased is survived by his wife, Manti Devi; two sons, Sanjay Kumar (32) and Santosh Kumar (28); and one daughter.