Tragic Accident Claims 9 Lives in Sangrur, Punjab
A speeding car struck a group of MGNREGA workers in Sangrur, resulting in nine fatalities and several injuries.
Nine MGNREGA workers were killed when a car hit them in Sangrur.
The incident occurred while workers were resting by the roadside.
Local residents protested, demanding justice and accountability from authorities.
In a devastating incident on Sunday afternoon, nine workers from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) program lost their lives when a speeding vehicle ran them over near Lehragaga in Sangrur district, Punjab. The tragic event took place close to Alisher village on the Lehragaga-Jakhal road, where the workers were taking a break.
Reports indicate that five individuals died instantly at the scene, while four others succumbed to their injuries during treatment at a local hospital. A total of 23 workers were present at the site when the accident occurred. All the deceased were residents of Alisher village, highlighting the local impact of this tragedy.
The vehicle involved in the incident was identified as a white sedan registered in Patiala. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the car first struck a person on a motorcycle before colliding with the group of workers. Following the incident, police apprehended the passengers of the vehicle, but the driver reportedly fled the scene. The critically injured workers were transferred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala for further medical care.
The accident sparked outrage among local residents, who blocked the Lehra-Jakhal road in protest, criticizing the administration for the delayed arrival of emergency services. Many gathered to demand justice for the victims' families, expressing their frustration over the handling of the situation. In response, police officials, including SHO Jaskaran Singh and DSP Palwinder Singh Cheema, assured the crowd that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for the reckless driving that led to the fatalities.
As the community mourns the loss of Karamjit Kaur, Jeevan Singh, Nikki, Sarabjit Kaur, Ranjit Begum, Karamjit, Rani Kaur, and Desraj, calls for accountability and improved safety measures are growing. The incident underscores the urgent need for better protection for workers engaged in roadside projects. Authorities are expected to take further steps to address the concerns raised by the community and ensure justice for the affected families.
