Kakopathar: A tragic road accident in Upper Assam claimed the lives of two youths late Friday night, triggering widespread protests and a major blockade on National Highway-15 that left thousands of vehicles stranded. The deceased have been identified as Pranajit Das, a goalkeeper at the Kakopathar Football Coaching Centre, and Shashank Moran. According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at Lajum village during ongoing Bihu celebrations when a speeding Bolero allegedly rammed into a stationary motorcycle by the roadside. The victims were reportedly seated on the bike at the time of the collision and died on the spot due to the impact.
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Locals rushed the injured to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead. Police stated that the vehicle, bearing registration number AS-01 V 0399, was approaching from the Kakopathar side when the accident occurred. The driver, suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, has been detained by Doomdooma Police, and the vehicle has been seized.
The incident sparked immediate outrage among residents, who launched a protest early Saturday morning near Kakopathar Police Station. Demonstrators blocked NH-15, burnt tyres, and demanded strict action against the accused, along with compensation and rehabilitation support for the victims’ families. The blockade has severely disrupted traffic movement, with long queues of stranded vehicles reported on both sides of the highway. Local authorities are attempting to bring the situation under control as tensions remain high in the area. Further investigations into the incident are currently underway.
