Hit-and-run incident leaves couple dead in Koraput

Nandapur: A young couple lost their lives in a hit-and-run incident on Tuesday after a speeding car struck them from behind near an HP petrol pump at the Nandapur block headquarters in Koraput district. Police have detained four occupants of the vehicle for questioning. The deceased were identified as 20-year-old Parshu Hantal and his 21-year-old wife, Jema Pangi, residents of Kumbiguda village under Banuru panchayat.

The couple, who made a living through sharecropping and daily-wage labour, were walking towards an agricultural field when the car, coming from Semiliguda, hit them from behind and sped away. They were taken to the Nandapur Community Health Centre, where doctors declared them dead. CCTV footage helped police track the damaged vehicle towards Lamptaput.

With support from Lamptaput and Machhkund police, the vehicle was intercepted near Changudipada, and the driver along with three other occupants was detained. Police registered a case based on a complaint lodged by the deceased man’s brother. Inspector-in-charge T.

Totapadia is investigating the matter. Meanwhile, the district administration provided Rs 10,000 in Red Cross assistance to the bereaved family. The bodies will be handed over to the family after post-mortem examinations on Wednesday.