Two local BJP leaders tragically lost their lives near Sambalpur, Odisha, late Saturday night when their car was reportedly struck three times by a tipper truck. The victims, identified as Devendra Nayak and Muralidhar Chhuria, were returning from Bhubaneswar along with four others when the incident occurred.
According to police sources, the accident happened around 1:30 AM on National Highway 53. Suresh Chand, one of the passengers in the vehicle, recounted that the truck first collided with their car from the side and then hit it again from behind after a short distance. Believing the truck was pursuing them intentionally, they attempted to escape onto a side road near Kantapalli Square, but the truck followed and struck them once more, causing their vehicle to overturn.
Chand expressed his belief that the collisions were deliberate, stating, “It’s possible to hit a vehicle accidentally once, but not three times.”
Authorities have since seized the truck and detained its driver for questioning. The truck was reportedly transporting fly ash from a private company at the time of the incident. Sambalpur Superintendent of Police Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo confirmed that an investigation has been initiated based on complaints from the families of the deceased, who suspect foul play may be involved. Bhamoo stated that the investigation would determine whether this was an unfortunate accident or if there was any malicious intent behind it.
