Berhampur: Locals blocked a portion of national highway NH-16 Wednesday morning after a female vegetable seller was killed in a road accident near Randha Chhak under Golanthara Police limits of Berhampur in Ganjam district.
The deceased has been identified as Kanak Behera, a resident of Chikarada village.
According to locals, the woman was mowed down by a truck while she was crossing the road Wednesday morning. As a result, she died on the spot.
Soon after news of the accident spread, tension erupted and fumed over the incident. Residents of Chikarada village staged a road blockade by burning tyres which created a huge traffic jam. The agitators demanded adequate compensation for the family of the deceased and better traffic control measures on the stretch.
Meanwhile, vehicular traffic came to a grinding halt forcing hundreds of vehicles to remain stranded following the roadblock.
On being informed, police rushed to the spot and pacified the agitators with assurances that their demand will be considered. The police also detained the driver for interrogation.
A detailed investigation into the incident is underway.
PNN