CISF jawan, pregnant wife killed & 6 injured as police jeep rams into two-wheeler

A CISF jawan and his pregnant wife were killed and six others injured on 18 December after a police vehicle lost control and rammed two motorcycles and a bicycle, before falling in a roadside ditch in New Mal area in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal.

The incident happened on Sunday evening when the police jeep carrying three police personnel was coming to Malbazar from Odlabari and the driver lost control of the vehicle on National Highway 31, police said.

The jeep first hit a scooty, killing Shambhu Tirkey, a CRPF jawan and resident of Lislever tea garden area, on the spot, they said.

Tirkey's wife, Leena Lakra, who was pillion riding, succumbed to her injuries on the way to Malbazar hospital. The CRPF jawan had taken his pregnant wife, an ICDS worker, for medical check up and was returning home when the accident happened, police said.

After hitting the scooty, the jeep hit a motorbike and then a bicycle, injuring Nisha Kheria, Tanjul Islam, Ketla Munda, Rajesh Busphor and two others.

The injured have been admitted to a hospital.

Soon after the incident, residents blocked the National Highway and pelted stones at passing vehicles. They also alleged that the driver of the police vehicle was in an inebriated state.

"The driver fled the spot after the incident. The three police personnel in the jeep have also sustained minor injuries. A large police contingent has been sent to the area to keep the situation under control and lift the road blockade.

"Investigations are on the ascertain the reason behind the incident and trace the driver," a senior district police officer said.

-PTI