Two youths were killed while a third was critically injured when their motorcycle collided head-on with a pick-up van on NH512 in Fulbari, South Dinajpur district, late on Saturday.

Angry residents blocked the highway in protest, alleging lack of police vigilance encouraged rash driving after dark.

Sources said the three friends on the bike had been headed towards Balurghat while the pick-up van had been coming from Balurghat to Gangarampur when the crash occurred.

The three youths, who did not wear helmets, were rushed to the superspecialty hospital in Gangarampur where doctors pronounced two of them dead. One was identified as Sarib Sarkar, 23. The other is yet to be identified.

Sohel Rana Sarkar, 27, is fighting for his life at Malda Medical College and Hospital.

The van driver fled.

Agitated residents blocked the highway for about an hour, demanding action against speeding. A team from Gangarampur police station rushed to the spot and pacified the demonstrators.

Police have seized both vehicles. Investigations are on.