Bhopal, Oct. 19 -- As many as 15 people were killed and 27 injured after a truck ran over devotees near the Shitala Mata Temple in Gwalior before crashing into the temple's entrance gate. The impact caused a wall of the gateway to collapse, trapping several people under the debris. Four devotees were seriously injured and were taken to different hospitals in Gwalior, while others sustained minor injuries. All the deceased are from Gwalior and neighbouring districts, said Dharamveer Yadav, superintendent of police, Gwalior. "On the occasion of Saptami, a large crowd from Gwalior and surrounding districts had gathered at the temple late into the night. In view of the crowd, entry of heavy vehicles was restricted," the SP said. "Around 1.30 AM, two trucks laden with paddy coming from the Chinor side was stopped by police at the barricade, but the driver of one of the trucks lost control on the sloppy curve and plowed into roadside stalls and devotees," he said. The truck then struck the entrance gate after running over devotees and stalls. Police said 5-6 prasad stalls were damaged and nearly 41 people were hit. "The devotees were standing in queue to enter the temple while many are coming out from the exit when the truck hit them. Rescue teams and police immediately rushed to the spot and pulled out those trapped under the collapsed wall," he added. Police arrested driver Dilbag Singh, a resident of Punjabi Colony in Delhi, and truck owner Harpreet Singh from Ludhiana, Punjab. "According to preliminary information, the two trucks were loaded with paddy from a market in Dabra. Both trucks were from Punjab and were travelling together back to Punjab. Being from outside Madhya Pradesh, the driver was unfamiliar with the route and was navigating using Google Maps," the SP said. "The trucks reached near the temple by following the route, but when police tried to stop them, one hit the barricade and ran over devotees, plowing through prasad stalls," he said. The exact cause is under investigation. "The driver said he lost control due to brake failure. Now forensic experts are examining whether it was mechanical failure or negligence," the SP added. Police are verifying the truck's documents. The owner has handed over papers, but NOC and other checks are yet to be verified, officials said. After the accident, the driver fled from the scene and was later arrested in Dholpur. Eyewitnesses, however, blamed the administration for failing to check entry of heavy vehicles near the temple. A shopkeeper Ajay Kumar said, "There was no police to stop the truck at night. The truck ran over devotees, but police personnel claim they were also hit while barricading. How is it possible that 15 people died and these two policemen got only minor leg injuries? They are trying to cover it up. There was nobody to check entry of heavy vehicles near the temple premises and that's why this accident happened." Meanwhile on questioning police's role, agriculture department minister Aidal Singh Kansana sparked row and said, "An accident can happen anywhere, what can the police do about it?. However, he reiterated and said the probe will be conducted into the matter. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia visited a hospital in Gwalior to meet the injured. Scindia said that the most critical question is how the truck was able to enter during the night. "There must be a rigorous investigation into how the truck managed to reach Gwalior," he added. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has initiated strict action following the accident. CSP, Jhansi Road area, Ravi Bhadauria has been removed from his post for negligence, while three town inspectors, one Traffic inspector, one head constable and three constables have been suspended. "Safety of devotees is paramount and negligence in duty will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Accountability will be fixed and stringent action will be taken," the CM said.....