Bol Bom Yatra: 5 devotees killed in road mishap in Kokrajhar

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 12, 2024

Five Bol Bom Yatra devotees were killed and three others were injured when a speeding truck hit a Bolero pick up van in which they were travelling at Kachugaon in Assam’s Kokrajhar district on Monday morning.

The incident took place on National Highway 27 in front of Mahamaya Temple in Kachugaon under Gossaigaon sub-division in Kokrajhar district. Four devotees died on the spot while another succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.

A group of Bol Bom pilgrims from Hatigarh in Gurufela, was traveling in a Bolero pickup van (AS16-AC/4669) to Raidak, West Bengal, to fetch water for performing rituals at the Mahamaya Temple in Kachugaon.

While they were stationed in front of the Mahamaya Temple at 5:09 am, a container truck (RJ10-GC/0217) filled with tea leaves heading towards Mumbai from Guwahati, rammed into their vehicles.

Four devotes who died on the sport have been identified as Sukraman Rai (20), Joy Rai (11), Bappi Ghosh (21), and Basudev Rai (22) from No 1 Hatigarh village in Gossaigaon.

In addition, Naba Ghosh (26) and Binan Rai (22) were severely injured and rushed to Kachugaon Hospital. However, Naba Ghosh (26) succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Gossaigaon SDPO Hiren Kumar Deka and Additional Superintendent of Police Prithviraj Rajkhowa arrived at the spot to take stock of the situation.

The bodies were sent for post-mortem. The police booked two drivers – Syed Khan and Farid Khan (Haryana) in connection with the accident.

The incident sent a shockwave all around the districts and villagers of Hatigarh came out to protest and blocked the National Highway from 12 pm to 1.30 pm.

However, Gossaigaon SDO along with other senior civil and police officials managed to pacify the protestors to withdraw the blockade.

The last rites of the five youths were performed at the Ashtami Ghat crematorium in Gurufela around 5 pm in the presence of countless admirers.