Cong youth worker among 6 killed in 5 accidents in a day

Raipur: Over half a dozen people were killed in separate road accidents across Chhattisgarh within 24 hours, including a head-on collision in Sarangarh–Bilaigarh district in which a Congress youth worker and a school assistant died after their car rammed into a truck.The fatal crash occurred in the Bilaigarh area when a car allegedly driven under the influence of alcohol collided with a paddy-laden truck near the Dumhari bend. The impact was so severe that the front portion of the car was completely crushed, killing both occupants on the spot.The deceased were identified as Yashwant Kumar Tandon (37), a Congress youth leader from Tadapara in Bilaigarh, and Rupendra Kumar Dewangan (35), a government employee posted as assistant grade-II and a resident of Bilaigarh.Police said Dewangan, who was driving the car, was found jammed against the steering wheel and had to be pulled out with great difficulty. Bilaigarh police official Shiv Kumar Dhari said preliminary investigation pointed to drunk driving. "It has emerged that the two had consumed alcohol and were returning from the Bhatgaon side. Motorists travelling behind them told us they had narrowly avoided hitting another person," he said, adding that formal confirmation of alcohol consumption was still awaited.Another crash in the same area was reported on December 24 evening between Pachri and Pathariya turns, when a speeding car hit a motorcycle from behind, killing one person. Late on Dec 25, two youths riding a motorcycle at high speed in Ambikapur collided with a stationary truck, leading to the death of one rider on the spot, while the second succumbed during treatment. The deceased were identified as Mel Prakash Tirki (26) and Brijesh Lakra (25).In Balrampur district, two youths were killed in a motorcycle collision, leaving another severely injured. In Durg, a truck ran over a woman on her way to work around 7 am on Friday. The driver fled with the vehicle after the incident, briefly disrupting traffic. The victim was identified as Uttara (50), who worked at a private school.Police in all five districts have registered separate cases and initiated further investigation. Officers said the series of crashes — many involving high speed, possible intoxication or unsafe road conditions — underscores the need for greater awareness among motorists, especially during the festive and year-end period.