Pune, 13

July (HS): Three women devotees participating in the Jagatguru Sant Dnyaneshwar

Maharaj palanquin procession (Palakhi Dindi) died in an accident on Monday

morning on Saswad-Jejur road in Pune district, when a truck hit them near a

toll post. They were immediately shifted to a private hospital in Jejuri, where

they died during treatment.

The deceased

have been identified as Rajashri Shankar Bhosale, Madhavi Rajaram Sarwade and

Nanda Pawar, all native of Kasvedigraj village in Sangli district. Four other

women devotees were injured and are being treated in the Jejuri hospital.

SP Sandip

Sinh Gilani said that the truck driver was running fever and had consumed medicines.

He felt drowsiness due to the medicines, which probably caused the accidents.

Further

investigation is in progress.

Sunetra

Pawar: Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar expressed grief over the deaths and

said safety of devotees in the procession (Varkari) is our joint responsibility.

She condoled the deaths of three women and also visited the hospital to meet

the injured women and assured all possible treatment.

Pawar

also advsed vehicle drivers to take care while driving during the route.

Rohit

Pawar: The deaths of Varkari in the procession is very painful and enquiry into

the accidents should be carried out, NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Rohit Pawar said.

The administration should take adequate measures to ensure safety of the

devotees.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar