Guwahati, May 21 (IANS): Upcoming Assamese singer Suman Mahanta was among 11 people killed when the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a truck in Assam's Goalpara district in the early hours Wednesday, police said. Two others were injured in the accident, one of them critically.
"The accident took place at Dhupdhara in Assam's Goalpara district around 5.30 a.m. today (Wednesday)," a police official said adding that one critically injured person was undergoing treatment at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
"Those dead include Suman Mahanta, an upcoming singer of the state. He was accompanied by his team of artistes, including musicians and a sound engineer, and was returning to Guwahati from Matia in the district after performing at a cultural programme last night.
"The passenger vehicle they were travelling in collided head on with a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction at Dhupdhara.
"Nine people died on the spot, while two others succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital. The truck was seized and the driver arrested," the official said.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi expressed his condolence to the members of the bereaved families and said the state government would extend due compensation to the families of those killed in the accident.
Goalpara Deputy Commissioner Preetom Saikia said: "A magisterial inquiry has already been ordered into the accident and the district administration would extend ex-gratia compensation to the kith and kin of the deceased."