A 20-year-old college student was killed and two others injured after a speeding car allegedly trying to evade a police party rammed into pedestrians and later crashed into a tea stall near the Jaito railway station on Friday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Arshpreet Kaur, daughter of Iqbal Singh and a resident of Hardayal Nagar in Jaito. She was pursuing a BCA course at DAV College, Bathinda.
According to the information available, Arshpreet was walking from the railway station area towards the market when the speeding car, coming from the direction of the Bisnandi Road railway crossing, struck her.
The collision left her critically injured. The vehicle then went out of control and crashed into a nearby tea stall, injuring the stall operator and his brother.
Passers-by took the injured persons to the Civil Hospital in Jaito. Doctors declared Arshpreet brought dead, while the two other injured persons, identified as Bobby and Prince Kumar, are undergoing treatment.
Police chase alleged
Police sources said two persons were travelling in the car, which had a Uttar Pradesh registration number. The sources claimed that the occupants were believed to be youths from Muktsar district who had come to Jaito to procure a consignment of drugs from an area known for narcotics trafficking.
According to the sources, a police party signalled the occupants to stop. They allegedly panicked and sped away, after which the vehicle crashed.
However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the identities of the occupants or the alleged purpose of their visit.
The two injured persons, Bobby and Prince Kumar, told reporters that the car was being driven at a very high speed and claimed that a police vehicle was chasing it. They said the car initially moved towards the railway crossing but turned back towards the market after finding the railway gate closed.
The police have not confirmed the claim that the vehicle was being chased.
Investigation underway
Jaito police reached the spot after the accident and impounded the vehicle. DSP Jaito Iqbal Singh Sandhu said an investigation was in progress.
He said statements of the victim’s family were being recorded and that further legal action would be taken according to the law.