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Tragic Incident Sparks Protests

Behali, June 20: A tragic road accident on Thursday night led to widespread protests in Rongagora, claiming the life of 28-year-old Shiva Nayak. The young man died after crashing into an electric pole that was dangerously placed in the middle of the road, a concern that local residents claim has been overlooked by authorities for years.

In response to the incident, residents laid Nayak's body on the road, demanding the immediate removal of the hazardous pole. This act of protest caused significant traffic disruptions as the area transformed into a demonstration site.

The accident occurred late Thursday night when Nayak reportedly failed to see the pole in time, resulting in a tragic collision. The pole, installed by the local electricity department, and the road, constructed by a local contractor under the public works department, have been the focus of numerous complaints from the community.

"This is not an isolated case. There have been several accidents due to this pole. Despite our repeated complaints to the public works department and the electricity provider, no action has been taken. Today, we lost a life. We demand the immediate removal of the pole for the safety of the public," stated a local resident participating in the protest.

"This marks the fourth serious accident here, with three previous victims left severely injured. The responsibility lies with the electricity department and the contractor for their poor planning during the road's construction. We are insisting on the pole's removal today and are also seeking compensation for the victim's family," another protestor added.

The protests attracted the attention of senior officials, including Behali Block Development Officer Dewanand Nath, Behali MLA Diganta Ghatowal, and local police, who arrived to address the situation and engage with the demonstrators.

However, the locals remained firm in their stance, stating that no compromises would be made until the pole was removed. Protestors also declared that the body would not be moved until concrete actions were taken.