City police here on Sunday began a thorough investigation after a woman SUV driver died inside her vehicle after being stuck in a blockade on the national highway that runs through Odisha’s capital.
The road blockade was staged by a group of Utkal University students in protest against the Utkal University Post Graduate Council’s decision to cancel this year’s students’ union elections due to law-and-order problems.
The police launched the probe on the basis of a complaint by the 38-year-old woman’s family. She has been identified as one Suman Sharma, a native of neighbouring Jharkhand who had been running two private hostels here for eight years.
The incident took place on Saturday evening at Vani Vihar square of the city near the Utkal University campus.
Eyewitnesses and police sources said the woman, who was driving alone, looked shocked and disturbed on seeing the blockade and a few students running towards vehicles stuck on the busy highway.
Like a few others, she also attempt a U-turn but failed, and then collapsed on the steering wheel.
Some people and policemen present on the spot broke open the SUV’s window as the car was locked from inside, and took the woman to Capital Hospital, the city’s biggest government-run health facility, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
After the incident, students blocking the highway returned to the campus gate with police intervention and sat on a dharna there, clearing the highway for regular traffic.
The death has become a major topic of discussion in the entire city. Her family members have already demanded action against the people responsible for her demise.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks