Biker killed in road crash; 6 held for violent protest

Gorakhpur: A 24-year-old man died after his motorcycle rammed into a stationary four-wheeler late Monday night near Chanau alias Betauwa village in Gorakhpur. Tension escalated after locals blocked the highway and allegedly pelted stones at police personnel who reached the spot to clear the jam. Six people were arrested in connection with the violence.

The deceased, Krishna Nishad, resident of Mahavir Chhapra village, used to run a fast-food stall at Baghagara to support his family. According to police, the accident took place around 10.30 pm when he was returning home after closing his shop. Riding his bike, he reportedly crashed into the rear side of a parked four-wheeler and was declared dead at the hospital.

SP South Dinesh Puri said police received information about the accident around 10.30 pm. “Doctors later declared him dead at the hospital. Soon after the incident, some villagers began blocking the road. It was dark, and a few anti-social elements from outside started pelting bricks and stones at the police team,” he said.

He added that two policemen sustained injuries in the stone-pelting incident and are undergoing treatment. “A named FIR has been registered against 10 people, and six of them were arrested. The body has been sent for postmortem. No written complaint has been submitted by the victim’s family so far,” the SP said.

Police said the crowd turned violent despite repeated attempts by officers to pacify the protesters and clear the blockade. Constables Akash Bharti and Ajit Yadav were injured.