Truck ploughs through temple crowd in MP, killing 15

Pabitra Banerjee : At least 15 people were killed and 33 others were injured after a truck loaded with paddy broke through police barricades and ploughed into devotees heading to the Sheetla Mata temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior early Sunday. The accident occurred around 1:30 AM on the Chhinor road, where heavy vehicles are restricted because of a steep slope.As per information available, the truck had been stopped on the road but broke through the barricades, lost control and hurtled down the slope before crashing into the temple’s outer wall and gate. Devotees walking along the road were crushed under the vehicle.Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday ordered the immediate removal of Gwalior’s City Superintendent of Police (SP) and the suspension of eight police personnel following the major disaster that left dozens injured. The administrative crackdown follows widespread outrage over severe security lapses that allowed a heavy vehicle to breach barricades and enter a prohibited zone during peak festival gatherings.”The accident occurred because the vehicle illegally entered a restricted zone,” Chief Minister Yadav said while announcing a high-level probe into the incident. “The safety of citizens is paramount. No negligence will be tolerated at any level in public safety management.”In addition to state-level disciplinary measures, the Prime Minister announced that the next of kin of each deceased would receive Rs 2 lakh, while those injured would be given Rs 50,000 as financial assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Chief Minister Yadav also announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh each for the families of the deceased from the state coffers, while affirming that the government will bear all medical treatment expenses for the critically injured. State authorities and district officials have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine accountability and establish stricter security protocols at religious shrines across the state. Emergency response teams and senior administrators remained stationed at the site throughout Sunday to oversee rescue operations and provide immediate relief.