Dharmashala/Chadheidhara: Tension flared in Jajpur district Tuesday morning after a 17-year-old college student was run over and killed by a black stone-laden Hyva truck near Kurikana–Dankari under the Jenapur police limits.
The victim, Sanjib Nayak, 17, son of Shatrughna Nayak of Ramperu village, was on his way to college around 9 am when he reportedly lost balance on a speed hump and fell onto the road.
A stone-laden Hyva truck (OD 04 S 0031) approaching from behind ran over him, killing him on the spot.
His mother had earlier died in a separate road accident, locals said.
The incident triggered unrest as irate residents blocked the road with the body and set the truck involved in the crash on fire.
They also torched three other trucks belonging to the same company that were following behind. The mob later stormed the company’s crusher unit at Rahadpur and vandalised equipment and vehicles.
Journalists who arrived at the scene to take photographs were allegedly assaulted by miscreants who snatched mobile phones, damaged equipment and abused them, witnesses said.
Police said the situation stabilised only after officers assured compensation for the student’s family.
The body was sent for post-mortem, and an investigation is underway. According to police, the mob—already angered over alleged extortion activities linked to the company—blocked the road for hours, assaulted several people, shoved women and smashed more than four mobile phones.
Jajpur SDPO Laxmidhar Swain, Jenapur IIC Nirupama Jena, SI Ranjan Behera and two platoons of police personnel were deployed to restore law and order. Sanjib was a first-year arts student at Jagannath Jew College in Chadheidhara.
The college cancelled its annual sports meet and held a condolence meeting, principal Sukanta Kumar Rout said. Jenapur police registered a case (425/25) and initiated further inquiry.
