Dumka cop killed, another injured as speeding SUV ran over them on New Year’s Eve

Dumka: A 50-year-old assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police was killed on the spot, and a woman constable sustained grave injuries when they were hit by a speeding SUV on the Dumka-Rampurhat Road near here on New Year’s Eve.The deceased ASI, Hemant Bhagat, and constable Devki Prajapati (42) were clearing the wreckage of two stone-laden trucks which had collided on the interstate highway near Chaipani forest when the incident occurred late in the evening.Bhagat and Devki were posted at the Shikaripara police station. Upon receiving an alert that the trucks’ drivers and attendants were injured in the collision, Bhagat went to the spot and arranged for the transport of the injured men to the Shikaripari community health centre (CHC) in his police vehicle.After the four were hospitalised, Bhagat returned to the accident site with Devki to clear the road of the damaged trucks so that traffic could be restored.Minutes later, a speeding SUV, having a Bihar registration number, lost control and rammed them. The SUV was heading to Rampurhat from Dumka. While Bhagat was killed on the spot, Devki was admitted to Phulo Jhano Medical College and Hospital after initial treatment at the Shikaripara CHC.Bhagat is a native of Lohardaga, while Devki is a native of Gumla.“The driver of the SUV managed to flee. The passengers of the vehicle were travelling to Rampurhat to offer prayers at Tarapith temple,” Amit Lakra, the officer-in-charge of Shikaripara police station, told TOI on Thursday.“Attempts are on to nab the driver as the vehicle has been seized,” Lakra said. Bhagat’s autopsy was carried out at PJMCH on Thursday. SP Pitambar Singh Kherwar and others gave Bhagat’s mortal remains a guard of honour at the Dumka police line.