• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:12 PM (IST)
  • Source:IANS

Delhi-Jaipur Expressway Protest: A crowd of Kanwariyas blocked the Delhi-Jaipur highway on Wednesday and staged a protest after one of them lost his life in a road accident. According to the police, the mishap took place on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday when a truck hit a bike on the Rampura flyover on Delhi-Jaipur Expressway.

The deceased has been identified as Hemant Meena, a resident of Rajasthan's Kotputli. Two other Kanwariyas sustained serious injuries in the accident. A report by the Times of India said the road blockade by the protesters remained in effect for about two hours. As part of the protest, the Kanwariyas demanded Rs 50 lakh and a government job for the family of the deceased as compensation.

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The truck driver, who reportedly managed to flee the scene after the accident, has been arrested, the police said. Following intervention by the police, the protesting Kanwariyas cleared the road and allowed vehicular activities on the expressway.

Earlier, following a traffic jam on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, vehicles going from Delhi to Jaipur were diverted from Rajiv Chowk in Gurugram, while vehicles coming from Jaipur to Delhi were diverted from Kundali-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway and areas adjoining Manesar.

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Kanwar Yatra is an annual Hindu pilgrimage undertaken by lakhs of devotees of Lord Shiva every year. Called Kanwariyas, the participating devotees collect water from the river Ganga and offer it at various Shiva temples across the nation. The Kanwar takes places during the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar. The sacred month typically falls between July and August.

(With inputs from agencies)