Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Devotees in Uttar Pradesh

Two Shiva devotees, known as kanwariyas, were killed and ten others injured when their tractor-trolley overturned in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. The accident happened as they were on their way to Brajghat to collect water from the Ganga. A probe into the cause is underway.

Two kanwariyas were killed and ten more injured after their tractor-trolley overturned in Hapur in western Uttar Pradesh, police said on Friday.

The kanwariyas, residents of Ghaziabad, were traveling to Brajghat in Hapur to fetch water from the Ganga. The driver of the tractor-trolley lost control over the vehicle, causing it to overturn on a highway in the Babu Garh area late Thursday. The trolley was carrying more than 20 kanwariyas at the time of the crash, police said.

Those hurt in the accident were taken to a hospital in police vehicles. Some kanwariyas, with severe injuries, were referred to Meerut for medical treatment, they said.

Babu Garh police station in-charge Vijay Gupta said, ''Police reached the spot immediately and admitted the injured to the hospital. Due to the serious condition of some, they were referred to Meerut for adequate treatment.'' ''Unfortunately, two young men, Saurabh and Chirag, died during treatment,'' he said, adding that their bodies have been sent for post-mortem, and families informed.

Gupta said a probe is underway to ascertain the cause of the accident.

The Hindu holy month of Shravan started on July 22, with the Shravan Shivratri celebration on August 2. During this period, devotees perform the ritual of 'Jalabhishek' at Shiva temples every Monday after collecting water from the Ganga.

(With inputs from agencies.)