Date:29/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/29/stories/2008032954470500.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

Five run over by truck

Staff Correspondent

National Highway was blocked by angry protesters

Accident triggers protests at Malavalli
Deputy Commissioner announces immediate relief of Rs. 10,000 to families of victims

MYSORE: In a ghastly accident, five people were killed when they were knocked down by a speeding sand-laden truck at Manchanahalli in Malavalli taluk of Mandya district in the early hours of Friday. While four persons died on the spot, one succumbed to injuries at Malavalli Government Hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Chikkasiddegowda (38), Basavaraj 26), Shivakumar (22), Kenga (22) alias Shivakumar, and Swamy alias Sannegowda (32).

The accident occurred when all five of them were walking towards Manchanapura from Manchanahalli around 5 a.m. Chikkasiddegowda, whose motorcycle broke down, was pushing the vehicle. The other four were walking along with him when the truck ran them over. The truck driver fled the scene abandoning his truck, which had overturned because of over-speeding, according to the police.

The accident triggered angry protests at Malavalli town and villagers blocked the national highway between Maddur and Kollegal. Tension gripped the town till afternoon as villagers came in large numbers to vent their anger against reckless driving of sand-laden trucks.

Residents from Manchanapura, Manchanahalli, Chottanahalli and surrounding villagesstaged a rasta-roko on the highway near Malavalli Government Hospital. Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Prasad announced an immediate relief of Rs. 10,000 each to the families of victims and promised to recommend further compensation from the Governor’s Relief Fund.