Three women killed as truck crashes into procession of warkaris in Pune

Pune, Jul 13 (PTI) Three women were killed and seven other persons injured after a truck accompanying a 'waari' procession hit warkaris (devotees of Lord Vitthal) in Maharashtra's Pune district on Monday, police said. The accident occurred on the Saswad-Jejuri road. A truck belonging to the Dindi (group of pilgrims) of Rangnath Maharaj from Loha in Nanded district struck a group of warkaris from a Dindi of Kasbedigraj in Sangli district around 500 metres from the Belsar toll naka towards Jejuri, Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Sandip Singh Gill said. "Three women died in the accident, while seven others sustained injuries. The injured persons have been shifted to a hospital in Jejuri for treatment," Gill said. Police rushed to the spot after the incident and initiated rescue efforts. Further investigation is underway, the official said. Every year, warkaris from across the state travel in 'waari' processions to Pandhapur town in Solapur district to offer prayers at the temple of Lord Vitthal on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi. PTI SPK GK