SUV Hits Kanwariyas in MP's Dhar, 16 Injured

A speeding SUV ploughed into a procession of over 200 Kanwariyas in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Monday, injuring 16 devotees, four of them seriously. The accident occurred around 3:30 pm when the devotees were travelling from Bokeshwar towards Indirama in Pithampur.

According to Dhar Superintendent of Police Sachin Sharma, the SUV was being driven along the side of the two-lane road when its driver panicked and suddenly ploughed into the devotees. Twelve people sustained minor injuries, while four were seriously injured.

Eyewitnesses reported that the speeding SUV approached from behind and rammed into the devotees, triggering panic. The people at the spot caught the driver and later handed him over to the police. The vehicle subsequently caught fire, but it is unclear whether it was set ablaze by the Kanwariyas or if it caught fire due to the accident.

The Pithampur police station house officer, Sunil Sharma, stated that the circumstances of the fire were yet to be ascertained. The vehicle skidded off the road and fell six to seven feet below, and the matter is being investigated.

Police personnel accompanying the procession and local residents rushed to help the injured, who were taken to the civil hospital in ambulances and private vehicles. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of devotees during the Kanwar Yatra.

The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage in which devotees of Lord Shiva carry holy water from sacred rivers to offer to the deity. The yatra attracts millions of devotees from across the country, and incidents like this highlight the need for increased safety measures to prevent such accidents.

In a separate incident, two groups of Dak Kanwariyas clashed with each other over the 'Jalabhishek' of Shivling in MP's Morena, resulting in a viral video. However, the Dhar incident is being investigated, and the police are working to determine the cause of the accident.

The incident has sparked concern among the devotees and the authorities, who are working to ensure the safety of the pilgrims during the yatra. The police are investigating the matter and are taking steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

In conclusion, the SUV accident in Dhar, MP, has highlighted the need for increased safety measures during the Kanwar Yatra. The authorities must take steps to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of the devotees.