Chatra, July 10: Anger is rising in Chatra district, Jharkhand, following the death of a CRPF soldier in a road accident. Protests have led to complete traffic disruption on the Chatra-Hazaribagh and Chatra-Tandwa-Ranchi main roads, resulting in long queues of vehicles.
The traffic jam, which began on Thursday evening, continued until 4 PM on Friday, severely affecting transportation and raising longstanding concerns about coal transportation and road safety.
Protesters are demanding adequate compensation for the family of the deceased soldier, the arrest of the driver responsible for the accident, and a complete halt to coal transportation on the Chatra-Hazaribagh road.
The incident occurred near Delho Valley in the Simaria police station area, where a speeding truck collided with 28-year-old CRPF soldier Lakshman Kumar Yadav, who was riding a motorcycle. He was initially taken to Simaria Referral Hospital and later referred to hospitals in Hazaribagh and Ranchi. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
Yadav, a resident of Birajpur village in the Chatra Sadar police station area, was stationed in Jammu and Kashmir and had returned home on leave just a week prior.
Following the accident, the truck driver fled the scene, leaving the vehicle behind. Police have seized the truck and initiated a search operation to apprehend the driver.
Outraged family members and local residents blocked the road with the deceased’s body, alleging that hundreds of coal-laden trucks pass through this route daily, leading to frequent fatal accidents due to speeding, overloading, and lack of regulation.
They accused the administration, CCL, NTPC, and other agencies of failing to implement effective road safety measures despite repeated accidents. Protesters noted that past incidents involving coal trucks have resulted in numerous fatalities, yet no substantial action has been taken to prevent such occurrences.
Former labor minister and RJD leader Satyanand Bhokta, who joined the protests, stated that coal transportation from Hazaribagh through Chatra is being prioritized over local safety. He criticized CCL and NTPC for neglecting safety concerns. Former JNM candidate Manoj Chandra from the Simaria assembly constituency echoed this sentiment, expressing that local discontent is growing due to these accidents.
He emphasized that protests will continue until coal transportation ceases and proper road safety measures are established.
Meanwhile, local officials, including Simaria BDO Chandradev Prasad, Circle Officer Gaurav Roy, and Station House Officer Surya Pratap Singh, are in discussions with protesters to resolve the impasse.
As of the time of this report, no resolution had been reached, and the blockade remains in place. Police are actively working to apprehend the fugitive driver and are closely monitoring the situation.
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