Rayagada: A potential tragedy was averted on Thursday after a police bus experienced sudden brake failure and ploughed into a group of protesters at Siriguda Chhak on the outskirts of Odisha’s Rayagada town amid the ongoing Bharat Bandh called by central trade unions.
According to sources, the incident occurred as hundreds of demonstrators from various labour organisations were staging a protest on the road, with chairs arranged for their leaders and many vehicles stranded due to the bandh disruptions. The police bus, carrying around 38 personnel, was parked nearby when its brakes reportedly failed, causing it to roll forward uncontrollably for about 100 metres, damaging
chairs and sparking panic among the protesters. The driver immediately warned them about the brake failure and asked them to clear the way, before steering it towards an elevated bushy area along the road.
No injuries were reported despite the chaos.
The police vehicle was stranded at the spot due to the protest while heading to Nabarangpur for bandobast duty during the Chief Minister’s programme. The bus was originally scheduled to take the ghat route, but the plan was changed because of the shutdown, the sources added.
However, the incident led to tension in the area with some protesters alleging that it could have been a deliberate act or conspiracy against the workers. Senior police officials, including Rayagada SDPO Gaurahari Sahu and IIC Prasanna Behera, soon arrived at the scene and calmed the situation.
The nationwide Bharat Bandh, protesting against various central government policies, has seen significant participation in Odisha, leading to disruptions in transport, markets, and daily life in several districts, including Rayagada.