CHANDIGARH: Three people, including a woman and her nephew, who were part of a religious procession were killed after being mowed down by a bus here. The bus cleaner has been arrested, police said Sunday.

The accident happened here in Sector 28 Saturday night. The deceased were identified as Anita, 36, her nephew Jatin, 12 and Mandeep, 18. Another minor boy was missing, police said.

The religious procession included around 200 people, and the people were going towards Nada Sahib gurudwara (Sikh shrine) in Panchkula town, around 10 km from here. 

"A religious procession was passing through when the accident happened. A private bus, belonging to a Punjab group of colleges, crushed three people. They were immediately taken to a hospital but they succumbed to their injuries. A minor boy is still missing," said a Chandigarh police officer.

Anita and Jatin were riding a scooter at slow speed along with the procession, whereas Mandeep was walking. After hitting them, the bus dragged two of them up to a distance of 100 meters before halting. Four other people also sustained serious injuries. 

Following the accident, agitated members of the procession set the bus on fire and also indulged in minor street violence.

The bus driver, identified as Jasbir Singh of Panchkula town, is absconding, the officer said.

Raids are being conducted at various places to nab the driver, he added.