Bhopal:

Three people, including a teenager, got injured after a speeding car ran over a crowd during the immersion of a Durga idol in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal late on Saturday.

A video of the incident, shared by a bystander, shows the car driver reversing the car at high speed while the people are seen trying to save themselves by moving away from the path of the vehicle. A 16-year-old boy got reportedly dragged by the car and is said to be in critical condition.

The incident occurred on the road outside the Bhopal railway station when the procession was moving forward. An on-duty police head constable also sustained minor injuries to his leg, a police official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

“Police are trying to identify the accused with the help of CCTV footage and some videos shot by devotees,” DIG Bhopal Irshad Wali said.

This is the second such incident to take place on Saturday.

In neighbouring Chhattisgarh, a person was killed and 16 others were injured after allegedly being run over by a car during an immersion possession in the state’s Jashpur district.

In a tweet, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed sadness over the incident and assured that justice will be served.

“The Jashpur incident is very sad and heartbreaking. The culprits were immediately arrested. Prima facie action has also been taken against the police officers who appeared guilty. An inquiry has been ordered. No one will be spared. Justice will be given to all. May God rest the soul of the departed in peace,” Mr Baghel said in a tweet in Hindi.

The Chhattisgarh police have arrested two accused and assured to take strict action against them.