A pall of grief has descended over Banurchat village in Bagdogra after the death of 24-year-old Subhash Chhetri, who perished in a catastrophic fire that ripped through a nightclub in North Goa late Saturday night.
Subhash, the sole breadwinner of his family, had moved to Goa two years ago to support his widowed mother after his father, Manbahadur Chhetri, passed away. Working as a cook at the nightclub, he had been saving diligently, harbouring hopes of building a home and starting a family. His return was planned for next March — a homecoming that will now never happen.
His mother, Tanka Chhetri, collapsed repeatedly upon receiving the news of her son's death, as neighbours crowded their modest home, attempting to console her.
The tragedy has shaken the entire community. Subhash’s sister, Urmila Chhetri, said with a breaking voice, “He was supposed to come home during Durga Puja last year, but he couldn’t get leave. Just four days ago, he told my husband he would return in March. Now everything — every dream he had — is gone.”
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Local panchayat deputy chief Vijay Mangar, a neighbour of the deceased, added, “Subhash went to Goa with the determination to repay his land loan and build a proper house. He was the only earning member. This loss is irreparable.”
Officials of the Siliguri Police Commissionerate have contacted the Goa Police to facilitate the return of the body. According to sources, the remains will be flown from Goa to Mumbai tonight and then transported to Bagdogra Airport.
Siliguri Deputy Police Commissioner Rakesh Singh confirmed, “We are in touch with Goa Police and making every arrangement necessary to bring the body home.” What was meant to be a new beginning for Subhash and his family has instead turned into a devastating end, leaving behind a grieving mother and a village mourning a young life lost far too soon.
Also Read: Goa Nightclub fire: Owners fled to Phuket hours after club fire
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