Angry Residents Block Road with Body, Demand Arrest of Truck Driver Who Fled
Key Points:
- Sumit Munda, 25, run over by a tipper truck near Salgajhuri Hanuman temple
- Driver fled the scene; locals detained the vehicle before police arrived
- Protesters demand arrest, compensation, and curbs on heavy vehicles
JAMSHEDPUR — A 25-year-old worker was killed on Monday morning when a tipper truck struck his motorcycle near Salgajhuri Hanuman Temple in the Parsudih police station area, triggering an angry demonstration by residents who blocked the road with the body.
The deceased has been identified as Sumit Munda, a resident of Chandni Chowk. He had left home at around 5:30 a.m. on his motorcycle, heading for his shift at Tata Motors. While passing near the Salgajhuri Hanuman Temple, a speeding tipper truck attempted to overtake him. His motorcycle lost balance and he fell under the vehicle’s wheels. He died on the spot.
The truck driver abandoned the vehicle immediately after the incident and fled. However, local residents acted swiftly and physically stopped the truck before it could be driven away. They then alerted the Parsudih police, who reached the spot and launched an inquiry.
Residents who had gathered at the accident site placed the body on the road in protest. They alleged that heavy vehicles ply continuously on this narrow stretch, causing accidents repeatedly. Moreover, they said the administration had failed to take any concrete preventive steps despite repeated incidents.
The agitated crowd put forward three specific demands — prompt arrest of the absconding driver, adequate compensation for the victim’s family, and regulation of heavy vehicle traffic on this road. Police tried to pacify the crowd and assured them that legal action would be taken in the matter. The search for the truck driver was ongoing as of the filing of this report.
Road safety in Jamshedpur has been a recurring concern, with official data showing 31 road accidents in the city in April alone, resulting in 24 deaths and 14 injuries. Parsudih is one of several areas in the city where heavy vehicle movement through narrow lanes has been flagged repeatedly by residents and activists. The Parsudih police station has registered the case and is investigating.
