A 21-year-old college student was killed and her friend seriously injured when their scooter hit a soil-laden tractor near Sonajhuri Haat — a popular tourist destination — in Santiniketan on Wednesday morning.

Sneha Chowdhury, 21, was riding the scooter with her friend, Senjuti Dey, 20, riding pillion on Sonajhuri Road when they met with the accident. Sneha was declared dead on arrival at Bolpur Sub-Divisional Hospital.

A source said Sneha was a second-year English honours student at Bolpur Collegeand was on her way to Amar Kutir (another tourist destination) with Senjuti onWednesday.

Deceased college student Sneha Chowdhury.

A police officer said neither of the riders wore helmets. The accident occurred as the scooter lost control and hit the tractor from behind while possibly attempting to overtake it.The road where the accident occurred links Santiniketan to Sonajhuri Haat, which attracts thousands of tourists, especially on weekends.

Trinamool CongressMLA Bidhan Majhi, who represents the Nanoor constituency in Birbhum district, attributed the incident tothe rampant movement of tractors carrying illegal sand and bricks.

“I saw two young women lying on the road in a pool of blood as I was returning home after dropping my daughter off at school. I tried to stop several cars and totos, but none agreed to take the girls to the hospital. Finally, I arranged transportation for them and later learnt that one of them died,” the MLA said.

“The administration should curb the reckless driving of tractors on this busy road. I know that many tractors carrying illegal sand and bricks use this road that connects Sonajhuri Haat. More accidents are likely if the administration does not take action against these vehicles,” Majhi added.

Some residents of Santiniketan also believe that tractors and motorbikes recklessly drive on the road to the Sonajhuri forest.

“The road is narrow, and vehicles, particularly tractors, speed through the area. The police should conduct regular monitoring and checks at various points in Santiniketan,” a resident said.

A police officer said the authorities monitored tractor movement in Santiniketan and the vigil would be heightened following the accident.

Reacting to Majhi’s comments, the police officer said: “The MLA raised this issue deliberately for political reasons. He may have political motives in flagging the illegal movement of vehicles.”