The Hindu : New Delhi News : Tragedy strikes Janadesh rally

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Saturday, Oct 20, 2007
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New Delhi

Tragedy strikes Janadesh rally

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Tragedy struck “Janadesh-2007” rally of over 22,000 people at Chaumuha village near Mathura on Friday when a truck ran into the marchers killing three of them on the spot and seriously injuring another three.

Two of the injured have been admitted to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences here.

It all happened around 8 a.m. when the truck driver failed to pay heed to traffic diversion signs and drove his vehicle straight into the crowd.

“The rally members were walking peacefully on the left side of the road which was clear of any vehicles since the police had diverted traffic. Then this killer truck suddenly emerged from nowhere and ploughed into the crowd killing three members instantaneously. The driver later claimed that he had failed to see the diversion signs,” said a Janadesh-2007 spokesperson.

Deceased identified

The deceased have been identified as Nalua and Lambaran of Maharajpura and Sasava of Naya Gaon near Gwalior. The bodies of the victims have been transported to Gwalior with the help of the local Tehsildar and the victims were rushed to AIIMS in an ambulance.

One of the injured is 13-year-old Bijulal who had come to watch the rally.

The truck driver and cleaner also sustained injuries in the mishap and have been admitted to a local hospital.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs.1-lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. He has also expressed a desire to join the rally at some point before it reaches Delhi.

Villagers from States

“Janadesh-2007”, comprising villagers from 15 States demanding land reforms, will reach the Capital’s outskirts on October 28. The participants have been received with wholehearted support at every stop in their long journey. The rally covers about 12 km each day on foot and is expected to cover the 340 km between Gwalior and Delhi later this month.

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