VAO second to be run over on Madurai bypass road, public stage protest

According to sources, Ramesh Kumar (32), a resident of Akkalampatti and Manapparai VAO was heading to Manapparai on a bike with his brother.

When they were crossing the bypass at Kallamedu near Manapparai, the bike reportedly hit a mini van and Ramesh was thrown off and soon run over by the vehicle. Ramesh died on the spot while his brother escaped with minor injuries.

On information, Akkalampatti residents gathered on the Tiruchy-Madurai bypass and blocked the road, not allowing the body of the deceased to be taken away. They also damaged the mini van although the driver escapedfrom the spot.

Locals claimed that the particular crossing was dangerous and that people were demanding for an underpass there as residents from around 10 villages nearby use the road on a daily basis. Despite repeated requests, the officials had failed to act for the benefit of the people, they said. Subsequently, they raised slogans in support of their demands and appealed for an immediate relief from thepresent plight.

It may be noted that a farmer was run over by a speeding vehicle and died at the same spot last week, and residents staged a protest in a similar manner. No action was still initiated, the residents stressed.