Guwahati: A popular Bihu dancer was killed and several members of her troupe were injured in a head-on collision between their vehicle and a trailer in Assam’s Tamulpur district, police said on Saturday.The accident took place on Friday night. The deceased has been identified as Nishamoni Haloi (25).About 30 people from a Bihu troupe, ‘Bhaskarjyoti Bihu Husori Dal’, were travelling in a light commercial vehicle from Tamulpur towards Bangalipara village along the Tamulpur-Nagrijuli road for a Bihu performance when it collided with a trailer bearing a Punjab registration, police said.Tamulpur Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Hasthaisula Brahma said, “The deceased has been identified as Nishamoni Haloi, a resident of Niz Jhargaon in Tamulpur district. She died on the spot. We have arrested the driver and a case has been registered under sections 281, 105, and 125 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).”Police identified the injured as driver Pankaj Baishya, Arun Medhi, Bidyut Das, Jagat Ray, Ankita Das, Ratan Kalita, Nitu Baruah, Shivani Baruah, Kabyashree Saruwa and Dibakar Moran.Brahma said some of the injured were taken to Tamulpur Civil Hospital, while five in critical condition were referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on social media, “Deeply saddened to hear this tragic news early in the morning. The Bhaskarjyoti Bihu Husori troupe from Haribhanga in Nalbari district met with a horrific accident last night at Noakhata in Tamulpur. At the accident site itself, the troupe’s lead Bihu singer and a popular performer of Assam’s traditional Nagara, Nishamani Haloi, tragically lost her life. A talent full of immense potential has been lost far too soon. This death is truly a great loss for all of us.”Sarma also prayed for Haloi’s departed soul, wished the injured a speedy recovery, and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
