21 Police and Home Guard Personnel Injured in Bus Accident on Bhopal-Betul Highway

Twenty-one police and Home Guard staff were injured when the bus carrying them overturned near Baretha Ghat on the Bhopal-Betul highway in Madhya Pradesh early Saturday morning. The security personnel were returning to their residence district of Rajgarh after performing election duty in Chhindwara.

The accident occurred around 4:15 AM near Shahpur Thana's Parahata Ghat area when the bus, carrying a total of 39 personnel, collided with a truck and overturned. "The bus swerved to avoid a truck that crossed its path and ended up colliding with another truck coming from the opposite direction, causing it to overturn and fall into a ditch," said a police official investigating the incident.

Eight of the injured personnel who received serious injuries were referred to the district hospital in Betul for treatment, while 13 others with minor injuries were admitted to the Shahpur Community Health Center. The remaining personnel escaped with no injuries.

Why this matters: The accident highlights the risks faced by security staff, especially during election season when they are often required to travel long distances to perform their duties. It underscores the need for improved road safety measures and better transportation arrangements for those serving in critical roles.

Polling for the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat, where the injured personnel were deployed, was held on Friday as part of the first phase of the 2024 general elections in Madhya Pradesh. The state recorded a voter turnout of 66.50% across the six parliamentary constituencies that went to polls.

Key Takeaways

• 21 police and Home Guard staff injured in bus accident in MP
• Bus overturned after colliding with trucks near Baretha Ghat
• Security personnel were returning from election duty in Chhindwara
• 8 seriously injured referred to district hospital, 13 admitted locally
• Accident highlights risks faced by security staff during elections