Kakopathar: Thousands of people, including women, elderly citizens, and youths, gathered at Kakopathar Town Field and later at Teji village and Kako Tinali colony in Tinsukia district on Saturday evening to pay their last respects to two young men who died in a road accident.
The bodies of sportsmen Pranajit Das and Shashank Moran, brought back after postmortem from Tinsukia Medical College, were received with tributes following the incident on Friday night during Bihu celebrations.
Large numbers of women, senior citizens, and young people lined the route and gathered at the site, as well as at the victims’ homes in Teji village and Kako Tinali colony.
Floral tributes were offered, and traditional rituals were performed.
Local organisations, student unions, and community groups also paid homage to the deceased. Pranajit Das was a goalkeeper at the Kakopathar Football Coaching Centre, while Shashank Moran was active in the local community.
“They were full of life and dreams. This accident has shattered so many families,” said a grieving local.
The mortal remains were taken in a procession to their homes for the final rites.
Shops in Kakopathar, including areas up to Dirak, remained closed as the region observed mourning.
The incident sparked protests over alleged reckless and drunken driving during the Bihu season. Locals blocked National Highway 15 (NH-15) from Saturday morning, burning tyres and demanding action against the driver of the Bolero vehicle (registration AS-01 V 0399), compensation for the families, and improved road safety measures.
The blockade was later lifted after the administration, led by the Circle Officer and Executive Magistrate Navajyoti Saharia of the Doomdooma Revenue Circle, held discussions with protesters and assured steps to address overspeeding and drunk driving in the region.
Police detained the driver and seized the vehicle.
Leaders of the All Moran Students’ Union (AMSU), Rajib Moran and Manob Boruah, president and vice-president respectively, submitted a memorandum to the magistrate in the presence of CDSP Diganta Dutta.
They demanded Rs 20 lakh compensation for the next of kin of each victim, the establishment of an ultra-modern hospital at Kakopathar with better healthcare facilities, and improved traffic control systems.
Authorities have appealed for calm and stated that preventive measures will be taken to avoid similar incidents in the future.