Himachal: Pilot killed in paragliding accident at Bir Billing
Dharamshala (HP) (PTI): An experienced pilot was killed when a tandem paraglider developed a technical malfunction shortly after take off and crashed near the road below the launch site in Kangra district, officials said.
The incident occurred at the internationally renowned Bir Billing paragliding site.
The accident occurred on Friday evening when a tandem paraglider took off from the Billing launch point.
According to officials of the Bir Billing Paragliding Association, the paraglider developed a technical malfunction shortly after take off, lost balance mid-air, and crashed near the road below the launch site. The pilot died while the accompanying tourist sustained injuries.
The pilot, identified as Mohan Singh, a resident of Barot in Mandi district, was critically injured in the crash.
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Local residents and rescue teams rushed to the spot and shifted both the pilot and the tourist to a hospital.
However, Singh succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital, while the tourist was reported to be out of danger after receiving first aid.
A case has been registered, and an investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Authorities are examining whether the incident was caused by a technical fault, human error, or weather-related factors.
The incident has once again raised serious concerns about safety arrangements at adventure sports destinations, especially regarding regular equipment checks, pilot certification, and strict adherence to safety protocols.
District Tourism Development Officer, Kangra, Vinay Kumar said all documents and information related to the accident have been sought from the marshals and technical advisors stationed at the site.
"Further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation report," he said.
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TMC MP Yusuf Pathan visits residence of deceased migrant labourer in Bengal's Beldanga
Kolkata (PTI): TMC MP from Murshidabad Yusuf Pathan on Sunday visited the residence of a migrant labourer from Beldanga whose unnatural death in Jharkhand earlier this week triggered mob violence in the West Bengal town and pledged his support to the victim's family.
Pathan met the parents of 30-year-old Alauddin Sheikh, whose body was found hanging at his shelter in the neighbouring state and brought to his native village in Beldanga on Friday.
"I strongly deplore the harassment and attacks on poor Bengali-speaking migrant workers from Murshidabad and other parts of Bengal who go outside the state in search of livelihood," Pathan told reporters after meeting the family.
"Our party, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and other MPs and MLAs are taking up the issue with the administration of respective states. We are also flagging the issue regularly. I am pledging my support to the victim families," he said.
Responding to opposition allegations that he had failed to visit families of migrant workers who were allegedly killed or harassed in other states, Pathan dismissed the charge as "propaganda".
"It is an attempt by the opposition to mislead people. I have been constantly monitoring every case. I have been constantly monitoring every case, and our supremo Mamata Banerjee and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee are getting regular feedback," he said.
He said the district administration set up helpline numbers for migrant workers working outside Bengal and called upon them to contact the administration if they faced any trouble.
A day earlier, Abhishek Banerjee had said at a meeting in the district that Pathan would visit the family of Alauddin Sheikh.
Banerjee also said he had taken up the matter with the Jharkhand Chief Minister’s Office, seeking a probe into the incident and action against those responsible for the migrant worker’s death.
