Varanasi: A 65-year-old man was killed and his 35-year-old son critically injured after a truck overturned on them in the Shivpur area of Varanasi on Monday. The incident sparked massive protests by villagers, who blamed the accident on mud accumulated on the road that allegedly made the stretch slippery.The protesters blocked the Gilat Bazar-Babatpur road for several hours, demanding a govt job for a family member of the deceased and Rs 1 crore as compensation. The blockade brought traffic to a standstill and was lifted around 9.30 am after SDM Nitin Singh, ACP Apoorva Pandey, and police personnel from several police stations, along with other administrative officials, reached the spot and persuaded the protesters to end the blockade.According to reports, Chhedi Lal Prajapati alias Ghure Lal, a resident of Hatiya (Baskada), had left home around 4 am with his son Kashi to deliver clay cups (kulhads) to shopkeepers, as part of their daily livelihood. Chhedi Lal’s brother, Bhaiya Lal, said the duo was travelling when a speeding truck coming from behind ran over a patch of mud on the road, went out of control and overturned, crushing the father and son.Chhedi Lal died on the spot, while his son sustained critical injuries and was admitted to a hospital.
