A TSR jawan was critically injured after a convoy vehicle escorting former Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik collided with a private car near Melaghar amid heavy rain. The accident raises concerns over convoy safety and road infrastructure in Tripura during adverse weather conditions.
A serious road accident on Thursday morning left a Tripura State Rifles (TSR) trooper critically injured after a vehicle in the convoy escorting former Union Minister and BJP leader Pratima Bhoumik collided head-on with a private car near Melaghar. The mishap occurred amid heavy rainfall and reduced visibility, raising fresh concerns over road safety during adverse weather conditions.
The incident happened as the minister was en route to Jatrapur, located in the Sepahijala district of Tripura. According to police sources, the crash took place at a sharp curve along the Melaghar-Bishramganja road—a stretch known for its accident-prone spots. A convoy vehicle reportedly lost control and crashed into an oncoming private car at the turn, where visibility was significantly hampered due to incessant rain.
The seriously injured trooper, identified as Mithun Das, was immediately transported to GB Pant Hospital in Agartala for advanced medical care. Sources confirm that he sustained grave injuries requiring urgent intervention. Several other TSR personnel traveling in the convoy also suffered minor injuries and were provided first aid at a local health facility before being released.
Second Officer-in-Charge of Melaghar Police Station, Uttam Paul, confirmed that the private vehicle involved in the accident belonged to a police constable who was traveling to Bishramganja for personal reasons. “The head-on collision took place around a sharp bend. The private car was coming from the opposite direction while the convoy was proceeding towards Jatrapur,” he said.
Authorities acted swiftly to secure the accident site. Both vehicles involved in the crash have been impounded by the police, and an inquiry is underway. “So far, no arrests have been made. We are awaiting formal complaints before initiating legal proceedings. The vehicles remain in police custody, and we are following protocol,” Paul stated.
The accident has reignited public discourse on the need to improve road infrastructure and safety protocols for VVIP movements, particularly in regions frequently impacted by severe weather. Sharp turns, inadequate lighting, and poor drainage systems on state highways make certain areas especially hazardous during the monsoon season.
Experts have long emphasized the importance of upgrading Tripura’s rural roadways, especially those used by official convoys, to ensure both public and official safety. The state government is expected to reassess convoy movement strategies, especially in regions like Melaghar, which face persistent challenges related to road geometry and weather exposure.
Pratima Bhoumik, who formerly served as Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, was reportedly unharmed in the incident and continued with her official visit following the mishap. Neither she nor any senior official from her convoy sustained injuries.
The incident marks yet another reminder of the dangers posed by poor visibility and wet road surfaces during the monsoon. As Tripura braces for heavier rains in the coming weeks, both citizens and law enforcement agencies are being urged to exercise increased caution on the roads.
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State officials and law enforcement bodies are likely to conduct a joint review of convoy movement guidelines, weather preparedness, and emergency response protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future. With public scrutiny intensifying, it is now imperative for the administration to take proactive measures to ensure that such avoidable accidents do not become recurring headlines.