Bhopal, Oct 18: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday ordered the removal of the Gwalior City Superintendent of Police (CSP) and the suspension of eight other police personnel following a truck accident near the Sheetla Mata temple in Gwalior district that killed 14 devotees and injured 28 others.
“The accident occurred because the truck entered a prohibited area,” Yadav told the press in Indore. He said he had directed the district administration to conduct a fact-based inquiry and submit a report.
In a subsequent social media post, the Chief Minister said the government had ordered the removal of the Gwalior CSP and the suspension of three station house officers, a traffic inspector, a head constable and three constables.
A detailed inquiry has been ordered to fix responsibility, with strict action promised against those found guilty, he said.
“The safety of all citizens is paramount. To prevent the recurrence of such incidents in future, security arrangements will be reviewed and necessary steps taken. No negligence will be tolerated at any level in public safety,” Yadav said.
He also announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the family of each deceased victim. The government would bear the treatment expenses of those seriously injured, while those with minor injuries would receive financial assistance of Rs 50,000 each.
The accident occurred around 1.30 am when a truck allegedly entered a restricted stretch of Chinor Road at speed, ran over devotees near the temple and crashed into its entrance gate, bringing down part of the temple wall.
Police personnel at the accident site (Photo: PTI)
Seven of the injured were in critical condition, officials said.
The truck, bearing a Punjab registration number, reportedly entered the restricted zone near a slope on Chinor Road, raising questions about the enforcement of traffic restrictions and security arrangements at the shrine.
The injured were taken to various hospitals, including a trauma centre in Gwalior, while the bodies of the deceased were sent for post-mortem examinations.
Relatives of the victims gathered near the post-mortem facility and expressed anger over the incident, questioning how a heavy vehicle had entered the restricted area despite the security arrangements.
PTI