Bhopal, Aug 9 (NationPress) What started as a joyful Raksha Bandhan visit transformed into a tragedy for families in Neemuch and Mandla districts of Madhya Pradesh, as two separate road accidents resulted in the loss of seven lives and left five individuals in critical condition.

In Neemuch, a collision occurred at approximately 4 PM on Saturday between the villages of Dekan and Ramnagar along the Neemuch-Singoli road, a route increasingly recognized for its hazardous traffic and insufficient enforcement of traffic regulations.

Preliminary police reports indicate that a fast-moving car collided with a motorcycle carrying five members of the Banjara family. Rooplal Banjara, who was on his way to collect his sister Mamta Banjara for Raksha Bandhan festivities, was returning to his village Sutholi with his son Udaylal, sister Mamta, and her children Kanha and another child—all on a single motorcycle. The force of the crash was so intense that both Rooplal and young Kanha perished instantly.

Witnesses quickly contacted emergency services, and an ambulance transported the victims to Neemuch District Hospital. Upon arrival, medical personnel pronounced Rooplal and Kanha dead, while Mamta, her daughter, and Udaylal remain in serious condition and are receiving intensive medical attention.

The bodies of the deceased are now in the hospital’s mortuary awaiting post-mortem examinations.

Meanwhile, the individuals in the car allegedly fled the scene, prompting a police investigation into potential charges of reckless driving and culpable homicide. In a separate incident in Mandla district, a deadly head-on collision between two motorcycles occurred around 4:30 PM near Jargi village, under the jurisdiction of the Maharajpura police station.

Authorities report that Rajendra Kushram (38) of Rajarwara village was riding a motorcycle with his wife Shakun (32) and their sons Sohel (10) and Ravindra (7), en route to Semikol for Raksha Bandhan celebrations. They collided with another motorcycle, operated by Shivprasad Maravi (27) and Vivek Kakodia (32), coming from the opposite direction.

The accident resulted in the deaths of Rajendra, Sohel, Ravindra, and Shivprasad Maravi, while Shakun and Vivek sustained severe injuries and are currently under medical care, according to police officials.

Shakun is currently unconscious, and Vivek has suffered significant facial trauma. Local residents are expressing their outrage over the frequent accidents occurring on the Neemuch-Singoli stretch and other rural roads, which have experienced numerous fatalities in recent months.

Police officials have assured that every aspect—including vehicle registration, eyewitness testimonies, and road safety issues—will be thoroughly investigated.

These dual tragedies highlight the pressing need for enhanced traffic regulations, improved road conditions, and greater public awareness, particularly during festive periods when travel increases significantly.

For the grieving families, Raksha Bandhan will now be a time of remembrance for their profound loss rather than a time of celebration.