15 killed in West Bengal accident

KOLKATA - At least 15 people were killed and around 25 were injured when a bus fell into a ditch in West Bengal’s Coochbehar district Sunday. Locals later went on a rampage, alleging improper treatment of the injured.

Police had to resort to a baton charge and used tear gas to control the situation at Dewanhat, close to Dinhata town.

Coochbehar Superintendent of Police Kalyan Banerjee said four of the injured were serious and had been admitted in hospital.

“Fifteen have died. And 25 others are injured,” Banerjee told IANS over phone.

The bus met with the accident after its front tyre burst and the driver lost control of the vehicle, which overturned and fell into a ditch.

Following allegations that the injured were not being given adequate treatment, locals went on a rampage and damaged a police van.

“We had to resort to a baton charge to disperse the crowd after one of our police officers sustained injuries,” Baneerjee said.

Eyewitnesses alleged that police also burst two rounds of tear gas shells but Banerjee did not confirm this.

Dinhata town is 425 km from Kolkata.