Chhattisgarh Minister Escapes Injury as SUV Hits Convoy, Six Injured
Raipur: A speeding SUV rammed into the convoy of Chhattisgarh Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap near Junwani on the Jagdalpur-Kondagaon border on Sunday, injuring six people, including four police personnel, officials said. The minister, who was travelling in a separate vehicle in the convoy, remained safe and did not suffer any injuries.
The injured were identified as four police personnel deployed in the follow vehicle, a woman personal assistant to the minister, and the driver of the follow vehicle. According to the police, the four personnel were critically injured and were later referred to Raipur for advanced medical treatment. The others were believed to be stable.
The accident occurred when the convoy was on its way from Farsaguda to Kondagaon. A Scorpio coming from the opposite direction suddenly swerved and hit the minister's car, officials said. The SUV then lost control and crashed into the vehicle following the minister's car. The impact left the follow vehicle severely damaged and caused panic at the scene.
Emergency response teams and police reached the spot within minutes of the incident. The injured were taken to Kondagaon District Hospital. After preliminary examination, the four police personnel were referred to a hospital in Raipur, as they were reported to be in a serious condition.
Minister Kashyap visited the hospital and enquired about the condition of the injured jawans. In a post on his X handle, he wrote: "Today on the Jagdalpur-Kondagaon route near Bhanpuri, our follow vehicle met with an accident, resulting in the jawans aboard sustaining injuries. The injured jawans were immediately rushed to the hospital, where I enquired about their health and directed the doctors to ensure appropriate and better treatment."
The minister also directed senior officials to ensure the best possible care for the injured. Local administration and police are providing assistance to the families of the injured personnel.
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. A case has been registered and the driver of the Scorpio has been taken into custody for questioning, officials said. Investigators are examining whether excessive speed was a factor. The exact sequence of events is being determined with the help of witnesses and evidence collected from the spot.
Junwani, where the accident took place, is a busy stretch on the Jagdalpur-Kondagaon route, frequently used by commercial and private vehicles. Road accidents on this route have been a matter of concern for local authorities. However, officials did not link the incident to any specific road safety issue and said the preliminary assessment pointed to the speeding SUV.
This is not the first time a convoy of a senior politician in Chhattisgarh has been involved in an accident. Last year, a similar incident occurred involving a state minister, prompting the government to review security protocols for VIP movements.
Meanwhile, the condition of the injured police personnel is being monitored. Hospital sources said their vital parameters were stable. More details on the investigation and health updates are awaited as authorities continue their work.
