Nandapur: A young couple were killed in a hit-and-run incident after a speeding car rammed into them from behind near an HP petrol pump at Nandapur block headquarters in Koraput district Tuesday. Police have detained four oc cupants of the vehicle for questioning.
The deceased were identified as Parshu Hantal, 20, and his wife, Jema Pangi, 21, of Kumbiguda village under Banuru panchayat. The couple, who earned their livelihood through sharecropping and daily-wage labour, were walking towards an agricultural field when the car (OD-02-DB-8098), coming from Semiliguda, hit them from behind and fled.
They were rushed to Nandapur Community Health Centre (CHC), where doctors declared them dead. CCTV footage helped police trace the damaged vehicle towards Lamptaput. With assistance from Lamptaput and Machhkund police, they intercepted it near Changudipada and detained the driver and three occupants. Police registered a case (183/2026) following a complaint by the deceased man’s brother. Inspector-in-charge T. Totapadia is investigating the case.
Meanwhile, the district administration provided Rs 10,000 in Red Cross assistance to the bereaved family. The bodies will be handed over to the family after post-mortem examinations Wednesday.