Daijiworld Media Network - Fatehgarh Sahib

Fatehgarh Sahib, Aug 9: Three Kanwariyas were killed and another seriously injured after a speeding car hit them on a highway in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib district early Sunday.

The incident occurred when a group of Kanwariyas was returning to Faridkot after collecting holy water from Gangotri in Uttarakhand as part of the annual Kanwar Yatra.

The victims were identified as Mahinder Pal alias Gagan, 43, Deepak Kumar, 42, and Jagdish Mittal alias Kalu, 40, all residents of Faridkot. They were taken to a hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

Another Kanwariya from Faridkot sustained serious injuries in the accident and was admitted to hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, fellow Kanwariyas and local residents staged a sit-in protest at the spot, demanding the immediate arrest of the car driver, who fled after the accident.

Police said the vehicle's registration plate fell at the scene as the car sped away. Investigators have recovered the number plate and launched efforts to trace the vehicle and identify and arrest the driver. A case has also been registered in connection with the accident.

The accident occurred during the peak period of this year's Kanwar Yatra, an annual Hindu pilgrimage undertaken by devotees of Lord Shiva. The pilgrimage began on July 30 with the start of the holy month of Shravan and will culminate on August 11 on the occasion of Shivratri.