Bhubaneswar: Chaos erupted at Xavier Square in Bhubaneswar on Saturday evening as hundreds of residents staged a roadblock, demanding compensation for victims injured in a series of vehicle collisions.
The protest followed an accident involving a car, a pickup van, and an auto-rickshaw, which left more than seven people injured.
The incident caused massive traffic congestion, with vehicles stranded for hours on both sides of the road.
Witnesses reported that the collisions were triggered by reckless driving by a heavily intoxicated individual. Enraged locals reportedly assaulted the drunk driver before staging a blockade, demanding immediate justice and compensation for the injured.
The situation escalated as hundreds of commuters were caught in the gridlock. To restore order, three platoons of police forces were deployed to the scene.
Police resorted to mild lathi charges to disperse the crowd and clear the road.
Meanwhile, Maitri Vihar police have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the accident.
The incident has reignited concerns over road safety and the enforcement of laws against drunk driving. Local residents expressed frustration over the lack of stringent measures to prevent such incidents. “This accident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic rules and harsher penalties for drunk drivers,” said a bystander.
Authorities assured the public of their commitment to improving road safety and urged drivers to adhere to traffic regulations to prevent further tragedies.
