Students demand road safety measures after Class XII student gets injured in Keonjhar accident

Keonjhar: Students and locals blocked NH-20 near Dhokotha on Tuesday for four hours after a Class XII student was injured when a speeding car hit her. The car fled after the accident.The student, Sasmita Murmu of Dhokotha, sustained head injury and was taken to Anandapur sub-divisional hospital by locals for treatment. The incident took place when Murmu, a Dhokotha Higher Secondary School student, was crossing the road while cycling to school.During the blockade, students and locals demanded safety arrangements near the school area and construction of a flyover.The students alleged that there is no information board or safety barricade near the school. “Despite several accidents and complaints no steps have been taken earlier. We want an overbridge and service road near the school,” said Satyabrata Mohanta, a student. Sandip Kumar Dehury, another student, said, “We want a speed breaker and clear precaution board near the school.”IIC, Ghasipura police station, Manas Barik said the girl’s health condition is good. “Steps will be taken to put up barricades and control the speed of vehicles near the school,” he added.