Chikkaballapura: A day after four youths were killed in a late-night road accident near Ajjavara Gate in Chikkaballapura taluk, chief minister Siddaramaiah Friday announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Blaming the accident on an overspeeding tipper, the Chikkaballapura MLA Pradeep Eshwar said foggy conditions and poor visibility in the area also contributed to the incident. Pradeep criticised district officials for failing to rein in overspeeding tipper vehicles, alleging that enforcement efforts by lower-level officials were often discouraged during departmental meetings. He said he instructed the authorities to take strict action against vehicles violating speed limits.Meanwhile, Chikkaballapura police arrested the tipper driver. According to police, the victims were returning from a Christmas prayer meeting in Chikkaballapura and slowed down to take a right turn at their village gate when the tipper, coming from the opposite direction, rammed into their motorcycle, killing all four on the spot.
