8 MGNREGA workers killed as speeding car mows them down in Punjab’s Sangrur

New Delhi: Eight workers employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) were killed, and several others suffered severe injuries, after a speeding car ploughed into them while they were carrying out road maintenance work in Punjab’s Sangrur district.

The accident took place along the Lehragaga-Jakhal stretch, where a group of around 23 labourers was engaged in routine road work. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the car came at high speed and directly hit the group, triggering immediate chaos and panic at the spot as co-workers tried to pull victims to safety.

Emergency responders and locals subsequently moved the injured workers to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention. In the aftermath of the crash, several local residents raised concerns regarding the promptness of emergency arrangements, particularly pointing out delays in ambulance dispatch and immediate police assistance at the accident scene.

Driver and vehicle identified by police

The vehicle responsible for the collision was identified as a Chevrolet Magnum, bearing the registration number PB11 CP 0080. Authorities identified the driver behind the wheel as Pargat Singh Kala, a resident of Raidhrana village.

Local police officials initiated inquiries to determine the exact circumstances that led up to the crash, including the speed of the vehicle and whether the driver was impaired at the time of the impact.

Victims identified as families mourn

Authorities confirmed the identities of the eight workers who lost their lives on the spot. The deceased have been identified as Karmjeet Kaur, Jivan Singh, Niki, Sarbjeet Kaur, Ranjeet Kaur, Karmjeet, Rani Kaur, and Des Raj.

A medical team continues to treat the critically injured labourers at the hospital, while officials are coordinating further formal proceedings, including post-mortems and statements from surviving workers who witnessed the incident firsthand.