Anuppur: Youth Killed, Teen Critical After Bike Hits Pole on Return From Dussehra Programme

A young man died and a teenager was seriously injured in Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, when their motorcycle hit a pole late at night. The two were returning home after watching a Ravana effigy burn at a Dussehra programme, according to a report published on October 22.

The motorcycle struck the pole near the general manager's office of SECL's Jamuna-Kotma area, under the jurisdiction of Bhaloomada police station. Prince Gupta, 21, who was riding pillion, died. He was the son of Ganga Gupta and lived near the Badra bus stand. The teenage rider was seriously injured and remains in critical condition at the Anuppur district hospital.

Locals first took the injured to the Kotma Community Health Centre, where doctors declared Gupta dead. The other youth was referred to the district hospital.

Kotma police conducted the post-mortem on Thursday and handed the body to the family. Bhaloomada police station in-charge Radhika Bhagat said the incident was reported on Thursday morning. Kotma police will register an unnatural death case and transfer the case diary to her station for further action.

Festival nights see a rise in road accidents, particularly on poorly lit stretches. Police generally advise riders to wear helmets, avoid carrying more than one pillion rider and to let minors stay off the road. Parents are urged not to allow underage children to ride motorcycles, which is also an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Road safety officials regularly warn that late-night travel after festival gatherings carries a higher risk, particularly when riders are tired or not wearing helmets. Poles and roadside structures near busy offices should be marked and lit at night. The police can be expected to register the case and record statements from the families and witnesses.