Bhubaneswar, July 31: An irate mob set ablaze a container after two people were killed in an accident near Kuradhamalla on National Highway 16 within Khurda Sadar police limits, 35km from here. Local residents blocked the highway for around three hours, demanding compensation for the families of the victims.

They also pelted the police with stones.

The police said the deceased, identified as Gouranga Samantray, 52, and his brother in-law Sanjay Kumar Pradhan, 30, died on the spot after a container hit the motorcycle they were travelling in at around 10 this morning. According to witnesses, the impact was so severe that both the deceased bled to death.

"They were waiting on the motorcycle to cross the road as the container was coming from Berhampur side. When a few school students came in the way of the truck, it lost balance and hit them," said a witness. The driver of the container, however, managed to escape from the spot after the accident.

As soon as the news spread, thousands of villagers from Kaipadar and Kuradhamalla rushed to the spot and staged a road blockade. The irate mob also set the container, loaded with eight pick-up vans, on fire. Sources said properties worth Rs 70 lakh were destroyed in the fire. The mob also ransacked around a dozen vehicles parked on the highway during the blockade. Two platoons of police were rushed to the spot to control the situation.

The mob scuffled with the police and other district administration officials. Following the agitation, the police resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the mob and it hit back with stones.

The agitation continued till 2pm and the mob also hurled stones at the fire tender and ambulance as well. The agitators demanded construction of a flyover and compensation to the victims' families.

"We have registered a case in connection with the accident and the container has been seized. We are trying to nab the driver of the vehicle. Another case has been lodged against the mob for the roadblock and setting the container on fire," said inspector in-charge of Khurda Sadar police station, Bikram Keshari Jena.