Patna: A serious road accident on the Patna–Gayaji NH-22 on Friday led to a major protest after an elderly man was crushed to death by a speeding Scorpio. The victim, identified as 55-year-old Mithilesh Ravidas, died on the spot near Potahi village under Kewada OP. According to locals, Ravidas was returning home after watering his fields and was crossing the four-lane highway when the vehicle hit him and sped away.
Soon after the accident, villagers gathered at the site and expressed their anger by blocking the highway. They lit fires on the road and demanded immediate action from the authorities. Traffic on the busy route came to a standstill as the crowd grew larger. Villagers said that accidents had become common in the area and claimed that poor road safety measures were putting lives at risk.
Police personnel from Kewada OP reached the spot but were met with strong resistance. Some villagers began pelting stones at the police vehicle, forcing the officers to retreat due to their small numbers. The police vehicle was damaged in the attack. Additional forces were called in later, and only then was the situation brought under control.
Villagers pointed out that this was the third fatal accident at the same location, with two people already losing their lives earlier. They demanded that the administration construct an overbridge to prevent further deaths. Officials from the Punpun block, including the BDO and CO, tried to convince the villagers to clear the road, but the residents refused. After nearly three hours of protest, the blockade was lifted following an assurance from the District Magistrate. The body of the deceased was later sent to PMCH for postmortem.
