Imphal, November 03 2008: AT LEAST two persons were killed while 17 others injured out of which five are critical as the bus in which they were traveling plunged into a deep gorge after crossing Kohima's 'dumping ground' along the National Highway-39, Kohima-Dimapur road in the wee hours today.

It is believed that the incident happened when the driver tries to negotiate a turning at a place in between popular Kohima by pass and Kohima Municipal dumping ground 3 km west of Kohima town at around 4.30 this morning.

"One died at the spot while another succumbed to the injury" R Kikon, Superintendent of Police Kohima told this reporter over telephone on Monday.

The other injured passengers mostly Nepalis numbering around 17 have been evacuated to Naga civil hospital Kohima and given medical aid.

Most of them were reportedly out of danger.

The deceased passengers have been identified as one Tulsi (41) and Ram Bahadur Narayan (65).However details of their originality it yet to be established till the filing of this report.

According to the sources from Kohima, both the driver and the 'khalasi' who helps the driver escaped unhurt from the scene and were found absconding.

Before the accident took place, the driver of the passenger bus had reportedly shouted loudly that the brake of the vehicle has been failed.

"However, we're trying to ascertain the identity of the driver and the khalasi as well" SP Kikon informed.

Meanwhile sources available in Imphal said the Nepali passengers were on their way to Nepal after joining Diwali celebration their respective relatives in the Nepali pockets in Manipur.

Some of them even have houses in Imphal too, sources added.

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