Six boys were run over and killed while crossing railway tracks in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district on Sunday night, IANS reported. Another was critically injured and is being treated at a local hospital.
All daily wage labourers were supposed to board a train from Ghaziabad to Hyderabad, the police said. But they had missed their train and were returning to home in Pilkhuwa town.
The accident took place around 9 pm near Saddiqpura locality in Pilkhuwa town. Eyewitnesses said the boys were wearing earplugs and listening to music, suggesting that was why they did not hear the onrushing train.
The victims have been identified as Salim, Arif, Sameer, Akash, Rahul and Vijay, all aged between 14 and 16. Their bodies have been sent for postmortem.
Although there is a footbridge close to Saddiqpura, residents often take the shortcut across the tracks, reported the Hindustan Times. The residents staged a protest after the incident, alleging that the area near the tracks was poorly lit at night. The police deployed personnel to maintain law and order. District Magistrate Krishna Karunesh and Superintendent of Police Hemant Kutiyal were also at the site.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!