Gangtok, April 20: An official of Rabongla police station has been “shifted” to Namchi, the South Sikkim headquarters, after there were allegations that he had forced students on to a pick-van meant for cargo. The vehicle had skidded 30ft off the road, killing a Class XII boy and injuring 32 on Friday.

The students of VC Ganju Lama Senior Secondary School were headed for the golden jubilee celebrations of Biring High School, which was attended by Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling.

Narendra Sharma, who hailed from Lingmo, a village nearby, died on the spot. The driver of the vehicle Bir Bahadur Rai who had suffered minor injuries was arrested yesterday. A case of rash and negligent driving has been filed against him at the Rabongla police station.

Three others who were referred to Siliguri for further treatment are stable and recuperating. Deepak Prasad, a Class VIII student, has already been discharged. Sangam Rai and Sonam Chopel are expected to return by Wednesday.

Sources said the policeman has been “shifted” to Namchi for the “time being”. Some in the police department said the law enforcer was only “performing his duties” and trying to help the students.

However, Tashi Tshering Bhutia, a Class XII student, had said from the hospital bed that the officer insisted that they all board the “goods carrier” that belonged to the school in Biring. “We had objected, but the police officer insisted. We were 8km downhill from Rabongla when the driver tried to negotiate a turn and the vehicle overturned and fell off the road,” Bhutia had said.

The police said the tension after the accident— there was a five-hour long demonstration in front of the police station and all roads leading out of Rabongla were blocked — was created more because some “anti-social elements” had instigated the students. “Some of these elements had personal vendetta against the police official,” an official said.

Yesterday, governor Sudarshan Agarwal conveyed his condolence to the bereaved family of Narendra. Chamling has already announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh for the family from the chief minister's relief fund and Rs 20,000 for the injured. The expenses of treatment of the injured students would also be borne by the state government.