In a devastating incident on the Bhandara-Nagpur Highway in Maharashtra, a speeding truck ruthlessly crushed as many as 50 sheep to their untimely demise in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The heart-wrenching accident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Mauda police station in Nagpur district. The shepherd responsible for the flock, identified as Gova Rabbani, a 53-year-old resident of Kutch in Gujarat, was guiding the sheep towards the Chapegadi Kuhi area when tragedy struck around 3:15 am. A truck traveling at an excessive speed tragically ran over the innocent animals, leaving behind a grim scene of destruction.
The immediate aftermath of the accident was marked by sheer horror and chaos. A staggering 50 sheep lost their lives on the spot, while an additional 15 sustained severe injuries. The callousness of the truck driver amplified the distressing situation, as the driver fled the scene with the vehicle promptly after the incident, leaving the shepherd and the injured sheep to cope with the unimaginable devastation. The repercussions of this tragic event extended beyond the immediate loss of life. The shepherd, Gova Rabbani, bore the brunt of the accident, experiencing a profound emotional and financial setback. The police estimated that the incident resulted in a staggering loss of ₹5 lakh for the shepherd.
Such a significant financial blow further compounded the grief and anguish that Rabbani had to endure. In response to the horrifying incident, the police promptly took action by registering a case under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act. This step aims to ensure that justice is served and the responsible parties are held accountable for their actions. The investigation into the accident is currently underway, with law enforcement authorities diligently working towards identifying and apprehending the truck driver who callously fled the scene.
This tragic accident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by livestock and shepherds alike on busy highways. It highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to safeguard vulnerable animals and prevent such heartbreaking incidents from occurring in the future. The loss of 50 innocent lives, the suffering of the injured sheep, and the profound emotional and financial turmoil faced by the shepherd have cast a somber shadow over the Bhandara-Nagpur Highway.
It is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of responsible driving to protect the lives of both humans and animals who share the roads. As the investigation progresses, it is hoped that justice will be served, and measures will be taken to prevent similar tragedies from casting their dark shadow on the lives of others.