Bhadrak: Tension ran high at Ranitela on NH-16 in Bhadrak district on Thursday after five students were mowed down by a truck.
Following the accident, an irate mob set the ten-wheeler on fire.
The deceased students were identified as Kalpana Jena, Priyambada Mohanty, Sweta Sahu, Satyabrata Barik and Sukant Sahu.
According to available information, the accident took place at around 4:10 pm when a group of 12 students were returning home from Ranital High School on their bicycles. The speeding truck reportedly rammed into the students while they were attempting to cross the road.
The injured were rushed to the district headquarters hospital and one among them later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
The driver and helper of the truck managed to flee the spot soon after the accident.
On being informed, local MLA Jugal Kishore Patnaik accompanied by senior police personnel reached the spot and took stock of the situation.
However, the locals demanded that no heavy vehicles should be allowed to ply through the locality during opening and closing hours of the school.
Expressing grief over the death of the five students, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia each to the next of the kin of the deceased and free treatment to those injured.
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