A shocking incident occurred along the Kanwaria route where a police vehicle entered the designated pilgrims lane and ran over a devotee who was resting by the roadside. The injured pilgrim has been identified as Nandeshwar Paswan, a resident of Jafarpur, who received prompt first aid at a nearby civil medical camp with the help of his fellow travelers. The accident has triggered serious concerns regarding traffic management and safety protocols along the pilgrimage route.
Details of the Journey and the Accident
According to available details, Nandeshwar Paswan was traveling as part of a 20-member group of devotees who had collected holy water from Patedha and were heading toward the Baba Garibnath Dham. On Saturday night, the group had stopped near the Turki overbridge to take a brief rest during their arduous trek. While the pilgrims were resting in their designated lane, a Dial-112 police vehicle suddenly entered the restricted Kanwaria lane.
Fellow devotees reported that the vehicle's tire ran right over Nandeshwar Paswan's foot before moving ahead. The sudden mishap caused immediate panic and chaos at the spot. However, his companions quickly stepped in, took control of the situation, and rushed him to the nearby medical camp for urgent treatment. Authorities confirmed that as of now, only one person has been reported injured in this unfortunate episode.
The unexpected entry of a police vehicle into a zone strictly reserved for devotees has raised sharp questions for the local administration. Heavy deployment and special traffic arrangements are routinely put in place to ensure smooth movement and protect the massive crowds undertaking the pilgrimage. The presence of a patrol vehicle inside the pedestrian zone points to a major lapse in route enforcement.
Police Statement and Ongoing Investigation
Pilgrims pointed out that had the vehicle been traveling at a higher speed or had the crowd density been greater at that exact moment, the consequences could have been far more tragic. This incident has brought the effectiveness of ground-level traffic management and route segregation under heavy scrutiny from the public and the participating devotees alike.
Weighing in on the matter, DSP Animesh Chandra Gyani stated that the Dial-112 vehicle was moving at a slow speed when the tyre accidentally rolled over the pilgrim's foot. Law enforcement officials noted that preliminary inquiries suggest the incident was a pure accident. Authorities are currently gathering facts regarding the vehicle's movement and surrounding circumstances, while the driver is being questioned as part of further proceedings.
