A government bus mowed down a cyclist at Rahatpur in North Dinajpur on Thursday night, triggering mob fury in which a police officer suffered injuries.

Sources said the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) bus was heading toward Siliguri when it hit a cyclist on NH12 at Rahatpur. Mohammad Alam, a 24-year-old resident from the neighbouring state of Bihar, died on the spot.

Local people became agitated and started a demonstration.

The bus, meanwhile, managed to leave the area.

When Dalkhola police arrived to take away the body, the agitators shouted slogans and some of them attacked the law enforcers.

Some police personnel and civic volunteers left the spot quickly but the attackers could grab an assistant sub-inspector. They assaulted him and alleged that despite repeated reminders, no arrangements had been made by the district administration to install street lights in the area.

“It is an accident-prone zone and people lost their lives after being hit by speeding vehicles earlier. Time and again, we have demanded that lights be installed along the highway. But there has been no change in the situation,” said a resident.

A section of the local people intervened and tried to save the ASI from the attackers. They, too, were roughed up.

After some time, additional forces reached the spot and brought the situation under control. The ASI and a couple of others, who were injured while trying to save him, were sent to the nearby health centre for treatment.

Reinforcements reached the spot and brought the situation under control. The police also took away the body.

The police registered a case and are in search of the attackers.