Rourkela: Three truck drivers from Bihar were arrested on Saturday for allegedly beating a pickup van driver to death following a road accident in Sundargarh district on Friday afternoon. The accused were identified as Manish Kumar (24), Bikash Kumar (23) and Amrit Lal (25), all from Gaya district in Bihar.The incident took place between 2pm and 2.30pm on the Bankibahal–Bhedabahal coal corridor at Suruda under Bhasma police station limits. They had parked their vehicles and gone to buy watermelons when their associate, Mukesh Yadav (35), was crossing the road to join them and was allegedly hit by a pickup van driven by Rajesh Munda (34).The trio allegedly attacked Munda with an iron rod and assaulted him with kicks and fists, leaving him critically injured. Munda and Yadav were taken to Sundargarh Government Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared Munda brought dead. Yadav sustained a fractured leg and head injuries.An FIR was registered on Friday evening, and the accused were detained and interrogated. They were arrested on Saturday. Police have seized the iron rod used in the assault. “The three truck drivers have been arrested for killing the pickup van driver. Further investigation is underway,” said Nirmal Mohapatra, SDPO, Sadar, Sundargarh.
