Sikkim: Two dead, five injured in Pakyong road accident

A road accident on the Lamaten-Lungchok road in Pakyong District has claimed the lives of two tourists and left five others including the driver severely injured. The incident occurred around 5:00 PM when a Bolero vehicle carrying six tourists from Kolkata tumbled approximately 400 meters down a steep slope.

The vehicle bearing registration number SK-01-J-1020, was en route from Aritar to Rolep when the accident happened. According to LNK Nim Tenzing Bhutia of Lamaten beat, who first reported the incident, the cause of the accident remains unclear as the driver and survivors are in shock and undergoing medical treatment.

The deceased have been identified as Payal Shasmal (32) and her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Shreenika Shasmal, residents of Kolkata. The injured, including driver Ashish Khati (23) from Tumin, Gangtok, were immediately evacuated to Rongli PHC for medical aid before being referred to STNM Hospital, Gangtok, for further treatment.

The bodies of the deceased have been preserved at STNM Hospital and an inquest is scheduled for December 29 by the concerned magistrate pending the arrival of their legal guardians.

Police have registered a case under FIR No. 06/2024, citing Sections 281, 125(a), 125(b), and 106 of the BNSS Act 2023, along with Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Moreover, three individuals have been detained under Section 170 of the BNSS Act, and three vehicles have been challaned under the CMV Act.

The victims, all residents of Kolkata, were part of two families:

Abhijit Ghosh (40), his wife Amrita Ghosh (35) and their daughter Avimrita Ghosh (10)

Shobhon Shasmal (35), his wife Payal Shasmal (deceased) and their daughter Shreenika Shasmal (deceased)