A tragic road accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy who was participating in the ongoing Kanwar Yatra. The fatal incident occurred on Mamurabad Road in Jalgaon city on Monday at around 4:30 PM when a speeding truck ran over the child. The deceased was identified as Prabal Rajesh Gawli, a resident of Gawliwada in Jalgaon.
Mob Attacks Driver and Sets Truck Ablaze
Prabal was part of the Kanwar Yatra procession when the speeding truck hit him, causing instantaneous death due to the severe impact. As news of the boy's death spread, a massive crowd gathered at the accident site. Enraged by the tragedy, the mob set fire to the exact truck that had struck the child. Reports indicate that the truck driver was also assaulted during the chaos. Furthermore, the crowd reportedly attacked some young men who were recording mobile phone videos of the incident at the scene.
Protestors Block Road with the Body
In the wake of the accident, angry protestors placed Prabal's body directly on the road, bringing traffic to a complete standstill on both sides. The demonstrating crowd demanded that the truck driver be handed over to them and called for strict legal action against all responsible parties. The resulting roadblock caused severe traffic disruption in the area.
Fire Brigade Forced to Return Without Extinguishing Fire
When a fire tender arrived at the location to douse the burning truck, it faced severe hostility from the agitated crowd. The fire brigade personnel were forced to wait at the spot for approximately two hours and ultimately had to leave without putting out the fire due to the volatile situation. Tensions gripped the locality for about two hours until Superintendent of Police Srikant Dhivre intervened, spoke with the grieving family members, and assured them of strict action. Only after this assurance did the crowd disperse. Subsequently, the body was shifted to a government medical college. Prabal is survived by his mother, a sister, and his father, leaving the entire community in a state of shock.
Police Investigation and Prior Incidents
Law enforcement authorities are currently investigating the precise circumstances surrounding the crash and the role of the truck driver. Additionally, authorities may investigate those involved in torching the vehicle and committing acts of violence following the collision. The incident has also raised serious concerns regarding traffic management and safety arrangements during religious processions like the Kanwar Yatra. Just two days prior to this tragedy, a 15-year-old Dak Kanwariya was struck by a speeding car in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and died on the spot.
