Phalodi, Rajasthan: In a tragic incident late Thursday (April 17) night, nine camels were killed and two were severely injured after being hit by a speeding vehicle on the Bharatmala Highway near the Laxman Nagar toll plaza in Phalodi, Rajasthan.
The horrific sight of camel carcasses strewn across the road triggered anger among locals, who blocked the highway for over two hours on Friday (April 18) morning.
Speeding Vehicle Mows Down Camel Herd
According to Dainik Bhaskar, the incident took place when a herd of camels was crossing the Bharatmala Highway, which connects Gujarat and Punjab. A yet-to-be-identified high-speed vehicle plowed through the animals, resulting in immediate fatalities and leaving two camels writhing in pain. Bhojasar police station officer Ashok Kumar Vishnoi told the publication, "Camels had come on Bharatmala Highway late at night. An unknown vehicle hit the camels."
Locals discovered the gruesome scene early Friday morning and alerted the authorities. The collision was reportedly so violent that, as per eyewitnesses, “a baby came out of the womb of a camel." Residents blamed the increasing speed of vehicles following the construction of the Bharatmala Highway and demanded safety measures to protect animals.
Locals Demand Action, Block Highway in Outrage
A large group of residents gathered at the accident site around 7:20 AM and blocked the highway in protest. The crowd demanded that animal warning signs be installed and night patrolling be increased to prevent such accidents in the future.
The blockade lasted until 9:50 AM and was cleared by the police led by SHO Ashok Kumar. Meanwhile, a veterinary team was called to provide medical aid to the injured camels, and an investigation is underway to identify the vehicle involved.
