GUWAHATI: At least five devotees were killed and one critically injured on Monday morning, August 12, when a truck hit a group of people in front of Mahamaya Temple in Kachugaon, Gossaigaon, in Assam's Kokrajhar district.
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According to sources, the speeding truck crashed into a pick-up van and several two-wheelers, leading to fatalities among those participating in the Bol Bam yatra during the holy month of Sawan.
Pushpraj Singh, Superintendent of Police for Kokrajhar district, confirmed the incident, stating, "Five people died after the truck hit them in front of Mahamaya temple in the Kachugaon area."
He added that “the police would conduct a thorough investigation. The district administration or police team will assess the situation and may implement measures such as speed-breakers to prevent future incidents."
The deceased have been identified as Sukraman Roy (20), Jay Roy (11), Bappi Ghosh (21), and Bashudev Rai (22) from Hatigarh village No.1 in Gossaigaon.
Two others, Navajit Ghosh (26) and Binon Rai (22), were critically injured and were rushed to Kachugaon Hospital, where Navajit later died from his injuries.
Eyewitnesses reported that the truck driver tried to flee but was stopped by local residents.
The driver is in police custody and an investigating is underway.
The official handle of Chief Minister of Assam expressed condolences on X, stating "HCM Dr @himantabiswa is deeply pained by the passing away of 5 Bol Bum devotees in a freak accident near Mahamaya Temple, Kachugaon. HCM expresses his condolences to the bereaved family members in this hour of grief."