Two students die, nine injured in Bengal accident

Two schoolkids were killed and nine others seriously injured in a road accident in West Bengal's West Midnapore district on Thursday, police said.

The accident occurred when the auto-rickshaw loaded with schoolchildren collided with a speeding lorry in Salboni area, a police officer said.

The victims were rushed to Midnapur Sadar Hospital, where two schoolkids were declared brought dead. Nine others are still undergoing treatment.

The dead included a boy and a girl aged between 10 and 11.

After the accident, locals blocked the road to demand the lorry driver's arrest and attacked policemen as they arrived at the spot.

"A mob damaged the lorry and blocked the road. They attacked police when the latter tried to control the situation. An Inspector was severely beaten and is presently admitted in the hospital," the officer from Salboni police station said.

A case of culpable homicide and rash driving has been registered against the absconding lorry driver.

--IANS

mgr/bdc/tsb