Sangrur: Eight MGNREGA workers were killed and 12 others injured on Sunday afternoon after a speeding car ploughed into a group resting by the roadside near Lehragaga town in Punjab’s Sangrur district.The incident occurred on the Lehragaga-Jakhal road near Alisher village, around 50 km from the district headquarters of Sangrur.Witnesses said a white sedan travelling from Jakhal first struck a motorcyclist parked along the road before hitting the workers while they were taking a water break. Five workers died on the spot, while three others succumbed to their injuries in hospital, police said. The injured are admitted to Rajindra Hospital in nearby PatialaA group of 23 labourers of the rural employment scheme were working on a road project.Police said occupants of the vehicle bearing registration number of Patiala were apprehended at the scene, though the driver fled.The incident triggered protests from locals. They blocked the Lehragaga-Jakhal road, alleging ambulances arrived late. DSP (D) Palwinder Singh Cheema assured angry protesters strict legal action for rash and negligent drivingAll eight deceased, identified as Karamjit Kaur, Jeevan Singh, Nikki, Sarabjit Kaur, Ranjit Begum, Karamjit, Rani Kaur, and Desraj, were residents of Alisher village.
