Odisha youth critical in hit-and-run accident involving Collector’s vehicle

Deogarh: A youth was critically injured after being hit by Deogarh District Collector Sudhansu Mohan Samal’s vehicle near Palasama village under Khairapali police outpost in the district today. Following the incident, the Collector’s vehicle fled the spot.

As per reports, one Rabi Bagar from Palasama village was going towards the village pond riding a bicycle at around 12 noon. A Scorpio vehicle bearing registration no – OD 28A 0689 going towards Angul from Deogarh hit Rabi near the pond. As critically injured Rabi was wreathing in pain, locals assembled at the spot.

During the mishap the Scorpio vehicle’s registration number plate fell down which helped the locals know about the details of the vehicle. Villagers blocked the Ranchi-Vijayawada national highway passing through Palasama village after they came to know that Rabi was hit by the Collector’s official vehicle.

“The Collector showed inhumanity as he was present in the official vehicle when it hit the villager and fled the spot. Villagers are a bit surprised with the Collector’s callousness,” a local said.

After police officials held discussions with the protestors, the road blockade was withdrawn.

Meanwhile, the critical villager was admitted to the Deogarh District Headquarters Hospital with the help of local police. The Collector reportedly visited the hospital and enquired about the heath condition of the injured villager.