Anupam Pal, Kailashahar
A deep shadow of grief has descended upon the peaceful daily life of Unakoti district. On Tuesday afternoon, a tragic incident took place in the Kanchanbari area of the district where a young man lost his life due to a lightning strike, leaving two others seriously injured. The deceased, Gautam Roy (29), was a resident of Radha Gobindapur village under the Laljuri Gram Panchayat. The injured, Nepal Gopal (42) and Tapan Shil (42), are currently undergoing treatment at the Unakoti District Hospital.
According to preliminary reports, several workers including Gautam Roy were working in his own rubber plantation. After working continuously since 10 AM, all of them took shelter under a shed in the plantation as it started raining. It was at that moment that a massive lightning strike hit them. The sudden loud thunder threw them to the ground, leaving them unconscious for some time.
According to doctors, Gautam Roy was declared dead after being brought to the Kanchanbari Primary Health Centre. On-duty physician Dr. Mantoshi Chakma stated that the condition of the other two injured was critical, prompting their referral to the District Hospital. The body of the deceased has been kept at the hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.
Gautam Roy was unmarried and the only child of his parents. His father is a central government employee. Gautam had personally developed two rubber plantations. He was known for always standing by the people of his village in times of need. He would often use his own vehicle to take sick villagers to the hospital, never charging them a single rupee. His humanitarian qualities had made him beloved by all.
News of this tragic incident spread quickly, and villagers began gathering at the district hospital in large numbers, overwhelmed with sorrow. Nepal Gopal said, “Gautam died on the spot. We’ve lost a truly good man—words cannot express the pain.”
Meanwhile, Tripura minister Sudhanshu Das has expressed deep condolences over the lightning death. On social media, he wished a speedy recovery for the injured and offered sympathy to the bereaved family.
This heart-wrenching accident is a grim reminder of the fragility of life in the face of natural calamities, and Gautam’s premature departure has left an irreplaceable void in the community.
