FOUR youths were killed in a tragic road accident near village Peeparpan on Sanawal Road in Balrampur district on Sunday evening, triggering allegations of negligence and inhuman conduct against the driver of the tractor involved in incident. The deceased were identified as Ramesh Pando (19), son of Sukhadi Pando; Manoj Pando (21), son of Haricharan Pando; Naresh Pando (19), son of Prabhu Pando; and Rakesh Pando (17), son of Sitaram Pando. All four had reportedly gone to Dindo Market and were returning home on a motorcycle when the accident occurred. According to family members, the mishap took place at around 6.30 pm near village Peeparpan, ahead of Sundarpur turn on Sanawal Road. They alleged that a tractor-laden with bricks, reportedly being driven at high speed, was suddenly stopped on the road, causing the motorcycle riders to lose control and ram into the trolley from behind. The families accused tractor driver Premchand Yadav, son of Ramnarayan Yadav, of reckless driving and alleged that after the collision, the injured youths were dragged for nearly 100 metres before the vehicle was stopped.

 

They further alleged that the driver removed the injured victims from the vehicle and abandoned them by the roadside before detaching the tractor engine and fleeing from the spot. According to the allegations, no attempt was made to inform ambulance services or arrange medical assistance for the victims. Local residents and passers-by later shifted the injured youths to hospital, where doctors declared all four brought dead. The bereaved families claimed that timely medical intervention could have saved victims’ lives. They held the alleged negligence and inhuman behaviour of the driver responsible for the deaths. Additional allegations have also surfaced against Ashok Yadav, son of Ramnarayan Yadav, who is accused of taking the tractor engine to his in-laws’ residence in village Bagra in an attempt to conceal evidence. Family members further alleged that Ramnarayan Yadav, son of Guru Prasad Yadav, assisted in hiding the tractor involved in the accident and destroying evidence linked to the case.

 

The families have demanded immediate seizure of the tractor and strict legal action against Premchand Yadav, Ramnarayan Yadav and Ashok Yadav. They have sought registration of an FIR and prompt arrests on charges including negligent driving, fleeing after the accident, failure to provide medical assistance, destruction of evidence and attempting to suppress the matter. Police have yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations.