Bhubaneswar, Dec. 30: Four women were killed and two injured when a car ran over a group of six women near Gania in Nayagarh district, 90km from here.

Police suspect the driver had lost control of the car as he was learning to drive.

The deceased have been identified as Upasi Behera, 40, her sister-in-law Upasi Behera, 35, Patara Behera, 48, and Sanju Behera, 33, all residents of Patanda village. The injured has been identified as Janaki Behera, 42, and Indu Behera, 45.

The police said while Upasi and Patara were killed on the spot, the others succumbed to their injuries at Nayagarh district headquarters hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the accident took place when the women were returning home after harvesting paddy.

"The speeding car first hit two women, later lost control and then hit the others. Two women died on the spot," said an eyewitness.

Tension prevailed in the area after the accident with residents blocking the Gania-Kantilo road and demanding compensation for the deceased. The road block continued till the evening and the protestors also demonstrated against the local legislator accusing him of reaching the spot late.

"All the women hail from poor families. The carelessness of the car driver took their lives. We don't have any option but to demand adequate compensation which will help their families," said a relative of a deceased.

Later, officials of the district administration and the police reached the spot and brought situation under control.

"We have detained the driver and seized the car. We are interrogating the driver to ascertain the circumstances that led to the accident," said Nayagarh superintendent of police Kanwar Vishal Singh.

Last Monday, a woman died and 10 were injured when a picnic bus carrying students collided with a truck near Maichheli village in Nayagarh district.