New Delhi: In Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district, a group of youth allegedly halted traffic on the state highway to celebrate birthday.
On the night of February 16, some youths did so near a roadside dhaba close to the district border barrier. They reportedly brought traffic to a standstill on the Ambikapur–Banaras Chhattisgarh state highway in Surguja. It led to a jam of almost 1 km and as ambulance and several vehicles were left stranded for about
half an hour.
Youths halt traffic on highway
The youths reportedly live in Ambikapur, and they first partied at the dhaba and then moved onto the highway. There, they parked their cars across the road, blocking both lanes and allegedly burst fireworks. Also, they cut a cake on a car bonnet with traffic on both sides stranded.
An ambulance was also stuck in the jam according to the video, but it is unclear if it had a patient inside at the time. Police at Latori outpost have registered an FIR against five to seven unidentified youths under Sections 285 and 126(2). The outpost in-charge Arun Gupta said, “The video has come to our notice. Based on it, a case has been registered and we are verifying the identities.”
Incident violates court order
Recently, the Chhattisgarh High Court directed a crack down on road birthday celebrations, stunts and any act which brings traffic to a standstill. The court said in a case taken up suo motu that police action should not be “for show” and should deter repeat offences. Also, it asked the state to ensure rules and provisions and strictly followed.
On November 21, the chief secretary told in an affidavit during a hearing in the court that instructions had been issued so that rules are followed everywhere in the state. The court also indicated that one may release vehicles seized in such cases on bond and conditions. But if they violate the law again, they would be handed out stricter punishments.