Bhadrak: The last rites of four students, who were killed in a road accident near Ranital in Bhadrak district, have been performed.
The remains of three students were consigned to fire at their native place Rahanja village, while the ritual of another student was held in Swargadwara, Puri.
However, the body of girl student identified as Sweta Sahu will be cremated on Friday.
The incident had taken place at around 4:10 pm on Thursday afternoon when a speeding truck coming from Balasore ran over these five students while they were returning home from Ranital High School.
Six others, who sustained injuries in the mishap, were immediately rushed to the district headquarters hospital. One among them was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for better treatment.
Following the incident, a group of irate locals set the truck on fire and staged a road blockade near the spot demanding Rs 10 lakh compensation for each of the family of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh medical assistance for those injured, restriction of speed limit and construction of a flyover on the road where the accident took place.
Expressing deep grief on the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.
Local MLA Jugal Kishore Patnaik, Bhadrak SP B Gangadhar and officials from the district administration had reached the spot and taken stock of the situation.
Later, the protestors scuffled with some police personnel who attempted to pacify them. The cops resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the agitators when the matter went out of control.
