Hazaribagh, Aug. 25: Highways have become a terror zone with rise in cases of dacoities on Grand Trunk Road in Chouparan of Barhi subdivision.

After three dacoities in the recent past, the robbers struck again this morning, killing a truck owner and injuring his driver on Grand Trunk Road.

The driver was rescued from the Chordaha forest area in a critical condition. Police superintendent Anurag Gupta said the owner was attacked in an attempt to loot the truck carrying mustard oil.

This was the fourth crime committed on highways within a week.

According to the police, five robbers stopped the truck coming from Rajasthan near Chinari pool in Chouparan. The five criminals overpowered owner Vijay Singh and driver Rajesh Sharma, slit their throats and left them in the Chordaha forest.

The criminals also snatched Rs 500 from them. The criminals tried to flee with the truck but as the vehicle ran out of fuel, they abandoned it and escaped.

The injured was admitted in Hazaribagh Sadar Hospital and the body was sent for autopsy.

Similar incidents have triggered panic among highway commuters in the past. Local residents blamed the police for its failure to check crime on highways.

Police sources said from 1990 to 2003, 1,200 road dacoities have been reported in the district. Some of the spots that have been targeted by the criminals included the National Park, Likhlai Ghati, Charhi Ghati and Vishnugarh areas.

Sanitation plan: The East Singhbhum district administration has sought the assistance of the Centre government to start a total sanitation campaign in urban parts of the district, including the slums, reports our correspondent.