Tension sparked at NH31C in Alipurduar district following the death of a person in a road accident on Friday afternoon.

Police had to rush to the spot which is around 15 kilometres from there, as some locals blocked the highway and torched a state government vehicle that had rammed the victim. The situation was brought under control and vehicular movement was restored in the area after an hour.

Sources said Gobin Rava from Panialguri, aged 35, was heading towards his brother's place at Garambusty on a two-wheeler. As he tried to overtake a truck, a vehicle of the district motor vehicles department that was coming from the opposite direction, rammed into his two-wheeler.

Gobin sustained serious injuries and died on the spot. As the news spread, a group of locals assembled and blocked the highway. Some of them also set fire to the government vehicle, alleging rash driving.

Soon, police personnel from the nearby Samuktala police station, along with senior police officers from Alipurduar reached the spot. A fire engine reached the site but by that time the government vehicle was completely gutted in the blaze.