At least two farmers were run over and killed by a speeding car in the Sirauli area in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly while they were resting near a field, police said on Monday, as reported by the news agency PTI. . The victims were identified as Purshottam Das, 35, and Vishal Kumar, 19. Both were residents of Hardaspur village in Bareilly.
The incident occured on Sunday night when both were in their field to protect their crops from stray cattle. A speeding car hit them while they were taking a rest on a roadside, Sirauli Police Station SHO Rajesh Maurya said, PTI reported. The two were dragged under the car for more than 10 metres before it fell into a ditch, he further said. Both of them succumbed to their injuries on the spot.
Following the incident, angry villagers placed their bodies on the road demanding local BJP MLA and Minister Dharmpal Singh visit the spot. They alleged there are no arrangements to save crops of farmers from stray cattle.
Car driver Ganesh was stated to be drunk at the time of the incident, as reported by PTI. He also got injured and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Administration officials convinced the protesters to clear the road later and the jam was lifted.
Last month, a 42-year-old farmer was killed and another two sustained injuries after being attacked by wild elephants in this district, officials said, as reported by PTI. The Sub-Divisional-Divisional (SDM) of Kalinagar, Ashutosh Gupta, said the farmer, Ramesh, a resident of Musapur village, died in the attack on Tuesday night.
Two other farmers, identified as Baburam and Surendra Lal, were injured in the elephant attack. The village is located near the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR). According to PTI, forest and district officials tried to pacify the villagers who had gotten enraged after the incident. The officials have also assured the villagers of all possible support for the kin of the deceased.