3 women pilgrims killed, 4 injured after being hit by a truck during Varkari Yatra in Pune. Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar announced Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased and free treatment to the injured.
Pune (Maharashtra) [भारत]July 13 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Monday met the injured victims of the Warkari procession accident in Jejuri and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the three women pilgrims who lost their lives. He also assured that the Maharashtra government will bear the entire expense of the treatment of the injured.
Three women pilgrims participating in the Ashadhi Wari were killed and four others injured when a truck carrying Warkaris hit a group of pilgrims on Saswad-Jejuri Road in Pune district on Monday, police said.
Compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased
Speaking to reporters after meeting the injured, Pawar described the incident as “extremely painful and tragic” and paid emotional tribute to the three women who lost their lives when a truck rammed into a Warkari procession. She said, “I have just met the women who were injured in the accident. This is an extremely painful and tragic incident. A truck rammed into the procession, resulting in the unfortunate death of three women. I pay my heartfelt tributes to the deceased.”
Pawar said he met all the injured victims and was told that some suffered fractures and some suffered minor injuries, while the condition of the rest of the victims was stable. She said she reached the spot immediately after learning about the incident as she was nearby.
The Deputy Chief Minister said he held discussions with police and district administration officials and directed them to ensure that the injured get the best possible medical treatment. “As per the existing government resolution (GR), a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each will be given to the families of those who lost their lives. The state government will also bear the entire cost of treatment of the injured,” Pawar said.
What did the investigation reveal?
Referring to the ongoing investigation, Pawar said preliminary findings suggest that the truck driver had consumed drugs in the morning before the incident. However, he said the exact cause of the accident would be known only after the investigation is completed.
Earlier in the day, Pune Rural Police said the accident occurred near Hotel Shipdeep Lodging, about 500 meters from Belsar toll naka towards Jejuri. Police said that the truck belonged to ‘Dindi’ of Nanded district and it met with seven women Varkaris of ‘Dindi’ of Sangli district.
Three women died in the accident, while four others were injured. The injured were admitted to an ICU hospital in Jejuri for treatment. Police said that the truck was being driven by a 70-year-old man, who has been taken into custody. Police personnel are present at the spot and legal proceedings are underway. Further investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“A truck belonging to a Dindi of Ranganath Maharaj Pokharbisikar of Loha, Nanded district, met with seven women Varkaris belonging to a Dindi of Kasabedigraj, Sangli district,” Pune Police (Rural) said.
The Wari pilgrimage, a centuries-old tradition, is an important ritual of the Warkari sect, a Maharashtrian Vaishnava religious tradition. Ashadhi Wari is a 21-day pilgrimage in which devotees from different parts of Maharashtra travel to Pandharpur, the abode of Lord Vitthal. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)