SANGRUR, PUNJAB — What began as a routine day of hard work turned into a scene of unimaginable horror on Sunday afternoon, October 18, 2026 when an out-of-control sedan mowed down a group of rural laborers resting along the Lehragaga-Jakhal road near Alisher village, killing eight people and leaving 12 others injured.
Around 3:30 PM, over 20 laborers enrolled under the rural employment guarantee scheme (VB-G RAM G / MGNREGA) were taking a brief water break by the roadside after hours of manual labor.
Eyewitnesses reported that a speeding Chevrolet Optra Magnum traveling from the direction of Jakhal suddenly lost control. The vehicle first hit a motorcyclist before swerving violently into the crowd of workers.
Five workers died instantly at the scene due to the impact, while three others succumbed to their injuries shortly after. Among the deceased were seven women laborers and the motorcyclist. Local residents and workers from a nearby factory rushed to the spot after hearing the crash.
"The car carved a path of destruction through people who were simply sitting down to drink water," said an eyewitness. "The injured lay by the roadside in critical condition before help arrived."
Bystanders and relatives raised concerns over emergency response times, alleging that ambulances took nearly an hour to reach the crash site despite a nearby police post.
Following the collision, the driver abandoned the damaged vehicle and fled the scene. Police authorities have identified the driver as Pargat Singh Kala, a resident of Raidhrana village, and an intensive manhunt is underway.
The tragic incident sent shockwaves across the state, prompting condolences from key political leaders. In response to the tragedy, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and announced a financial relief package of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
Additionally, the state government confirmed it will cover all medical expenses for the 12 injured workers currently receiving treatment at regional hospitals. Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Palwinder Singh Cheema assured the public that strict legal action would be taken against the driver once apprehended.
Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and state leaders also expressed condolences, emphasizing the need for stricter road safety compliance to prevent such preventable disasters in the future.
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