Mob sets fire to trucks after one dies in accident in W Midnapore

An irate mob set 11 trucks on fire following a road accident in which a biker was killed near Lohatekri in West Midnapore on late Friday night.

The incident triggered tension in the area with some of the local residents staging a demonstration near the accident site. The incident took place when one of the trucks that were set on fire hit the victim Tajkumar Ghosh who was riding on his motorcycle.

Police rushed to the spot immediately after the accident to bring to situation under control. The vehicles, most of which were carrying sand, had already been set on fire. Senior officials also rushed to the spot to pacify the mob.

Local people said that a loaded truck suddenly hit a biker. After being attracted by a thud, the local people immediately rushed to the spot and found the victim lying in a pool of blood. Some of the local residents rushed him to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital where the victim was declared brought dead. Some of the local people became angry and torched all loaded trucks plying through the area. They also set all the trucks on fire. Local people also protested by blocking roads and demanded for traffic guards. Locals said that this route is being used for transporting sand but there is no adequate traffic policemen in the area.

The agitation was removed after the senior police officers assured the local residents that they were considering their appeal. West Midnapore district police arrested two persons in this connection so far.

In a separate incident, another biker was killed after being hit by a car near Taratala Bridge late on Friday night. Police said that the biker was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Police said that the victim was going to Taratala from Santoshpur when he was hit by a speeding car coming from the opposite direction. After being informed, police reached the spot and rushed the injured victim to SSKM Hospital where he was declared brought dead.