Digapahandi/Pattapur: Tension ran high among residents at Dipasahi of Dengausta village on Digapahandi-Rayagada National Highway in Ganjam district after a five-year-old girl was run over by a speeding pick-up van, Friday. The deceased has been identified as L Lipa Dora (5).
Sources said, the incident occurred while the little girl was crossing the NH with her mother. Meanwhile, the pick-up van (OD-07N-0849) run over the girl after the driver lost balance on the wheels.
The girl was crushed to death on the spot, triggering tension. Angry villagers staged protests on the road by burning tyres and placing huge woods and stones.
Following the strike, vehicular movements came to a standstill as many vehicles were left stranded on both sides of the NH. Angry villagers caught the driver and thrashed him brutally.
On receipt of information, Patapur police reached the spot and pacified the agitators. However, the agitators demanded stringent action against the driver and compensation for the girl’s family.
They relented after the cops assured of compensation. The body was then sent for autopsy. A case was registered and the driver was detained while a further probe was on.
PNN