Driver, involved in accident, beaten to death

Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), June 21 (IANS) The death of a man in an accident led to a clash on the outskirts of this town after the driver who was responsible for the accident was also beaten to death, police said Saturday.

"Two people were arrested on charges of murder," Station House Officer Madan Dhiman told IANS.

The incident occurred on National Highway-21 Friday night when family members and friends of the victim Nikka Ram, 77, allegedly beat to death driver Rakesh Kumar in a fit of rage.

"As the car crushed the man, who was standing outside his house, locals and family members gathered there and started beating up the driver brutally," said an eyewitness.

In the morning sympathizers of Kumar, who also belonged to that area, blocked the highway for over three hours, demanding the arrest of the culprits responsible for the death of the car driver.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Rana said the situation is now under control and additional force has been deployed in the area.

"Traffic on the national highway, which was blocked for some hours, has been restored," he told reporters.

Police have arrested two assailants, one also named Rakesh Kumar, and the other Anil Kumar on charges of murder.

Eyewitnesses said delayed reaction by the police allowed violence to flare up.

The accident site is less than a kilometre from the local police station and thickly populated.