Patna: A fatal road accident in Rustamganj, part of Naubatpur block near Patna, on Tuesday evening led to violent protests after a 65-year-old milk vendor was run over by a speeding truck.
Police said the victim, Nageshwar Yadav, was crossing the road on his way home after selling milk when the truck hit him, killing him instantly. The driver fled the scene.
News of the incident quickly spread, and within minutes, a large crowd of villagers gathered at the spot. Angered by the death, they blocked the main road, vandalised passing vehicles and placed the body on the road while shouting slogans against the administration.
The situation escalated further when a police escort vehicle carrying a Patna High Court Justice attempted to pass through the blockade. Protesters pelted stones at the convoy, damaging the vehicle and injuring a Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) constable. Police managed to divert the Justice’s vehicle through an alternate route and avoid further confrontation.
Despite repeated attempts by officers to pacify the crowd, the protest continued for hours. Authorities eventually used mild force to disperse demonstrators and restore traffic.
Police later took the body into custody for postmortem examination. Yadav, a long-time milk vendor, was the sole breadwinner for his family.
Naubatpur police station in-charge, Sanjeet Kumar, said an investigation had been launched and efforts were underway to identify and arrest the absconding driver.
