Kolkata, April 7
External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee suffered a head injury when the car in which he was travelling from Murshidabad to Kolkata had a head-on collision with a truck at Nakashipara in Nadia district this evening.
Mukherjee had stitches in the head at Bethuadahari Primary Hospital and his condition was stable, IGP (Law and order) Raj Kanojia told PTI tonight.
The injured Union Minister would be shifted to Krishnanagar Sadar Hospital for observation, he said.
WBPCC General Secretary Manas Bhuniya, who was travelling with Mukherjee and another state leader Pradyot Guha, said over phone that the accident occurred when the truck skidded off the road after its tyre burst and collided with the car.
Mukherjee was returning from Baharampore in Murshidabad district after inaugurating a book fair.
Bhuniya, who was also injured in the mishap, said the driver and security guard of Mukherjee also suffered injury.
State Home Secretary P R Roy said Mukherjee had 12 stitches in the head at Bethuadahari health centre and was conscious. “I have been informed that Mukherjee is being shifted from Bethuadahari to Krishnanagar Hospital for further treatment,” he said.
Roy said the minister’s condition was stable but “we are concerned about his health.” He said he had asked the Army to rush a team of doctors from the Command hospital from here. A team of neurophysicians from the city was also being sent, Roy said, adding he might be shifted to Kolkata early tomorrow.
— PTI
