Bhubaneswar, February 22 – Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Sunday that each of the five police personnel who died in a road accident in the Jharsuguda district earlier that day would receive a compensation of Rs 5 lakh.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the financial assistance will be provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to support the families of the deceased personnel.
“The tragic road accident in Jharsuguda, which claimed the lives of five police personnel, is deeply saddening. The Chief Minister has expressed profound grief over the incident and announced ex gratia assistance of Rs 5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of the deceased,” the CMO said.
The accident occurred on National Highway 49 near Katapali, close to the Jharsuguda Sadar Police Station, when a trailer truck carrying iron ore collided head-on with a Bolero vehicle carrying police personnel.
Five personnel died on the spot, while three others sustained serious injuries. The injured were initially taken to nearby medical facilities, with two later being transferred to a private hospital in the Bargarh district and another referred to a medical facility in Burla, Sambalpur, for advanced treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Kashiram Bhoi (APR), Niranjan Kujur (Drill Sub-Inspector), Debadatta Sa (APR), Lingaraj Dhurua (APR Havildar), and Bhaktabandhu Mirdha (Home Guard).
Police sources said that the personnel were returning after completing night duty in the Rengali area when the accident occurred.
Police have detained the driver of the truck involved in the accident and seized the vehicle. An investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the collision.
Chief Minister Majhi, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed condolences over the deaths of the police personnel.
Meanwhile, local residents raised concerns over road safety on the highway and reiterated long-standing demands for its expansion.
Residents said that the highway witnesses heavy traffic movement daily and urged authorities to expedite widening and safety improvement measures to prevent further accidents.