The mangled wreck of the Scorpio. Picture by Anirban Choudhury

Falakata (Alipurduar), March 16: Five policemen were killed and one injured when the Scorpio they were travelling in to visit colleagues in a hospital rammed into a roadside tree.

Forty-year-old Devi Charan Roy, a homeguard-cum-driver, Gour Kar, a driver, and Biren Roy, another homeguard, died on the spot at Falakata College Para, 38km from Alipurduar town. Assistant sub-inspector Shyamal Tiwari (45) died in Falakata Hospital while Gobindo Roy (53) expired near Dhupguri on the way to Siliguri. Gobindo, too, was an assistant sub-inspector.

Dhiren Das, a sub-inspector, is fighting for life in a nursing home in Siliguri.

In the morning, Debangshu Choudhury, a sub-inspector of Falakata police station, along with constable Khagen Roy, was injured when the motorcycle they were riding skidded at Khirer Khot. The two had gone to Dhaniram to make enquires related to a case and were returning to Falakata. Both the policemen were taken to Falakata Rural Hospital by villagers.

The incident took place around 11.45. Ten minutes later, six policemen from Falakata learnt about the accident and started for Dhaniram. On the way they were told that the duo had been taken to hospital.

Devi Charan turned the Scorpio and started for the hospital instead. Near Falakata Station More the car suddenly stopped. The policemen got down from the vehicle and pushed it, till the engine started. Then they all got in and the vehicle sped away. Suddenly, eyewitnesses at Falakat College Para said, the Scorpio collided with a kadam tree beside the road.

The villagers tried to extricate the body of Devi Charan, but failed. The vehicle was towed away to the police station with the body inside. Three hours later, a gas cutter was used to bring out the body.

All five bodies have been brought to Alipurduar Hospital for post-mortem.

Sanjoy Saha, a passer-by, said he had seen the policemen pushing the car. “When the vehicle started, they made off at a high speed towards Falakta, but dashed into the tree. There was a loud screech of metals twisting. We rushed to the spot, but could do little.”

Debangshu Choudhury was inconsolable. “They were coming to see us. Khagen and I suffered only a few bruises when our motorcycle skidded. But what will happen to the five families?”

Tapas Das, the Jalpaiguri additional superintendent of police, said an inquiry would be conducted to find out if the vehicle belonged to the department or was seized.