* Governor anguished over authorities’ failure
Ajay Raina
JAMMU, July 8: The slackness of General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) in repairing Kishtwar-Sinthan Top highway today claimed lives of nine employees of the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department when the departmental vehicle (Tata Sumo), they were traveling in, plunged into 300 meter deep gorge at Kamrazi Morh Potato Farm near Sinthan Top this morning.
The Governor, N N Vohra has reacted sharply over the tragic road accident and expressed deep anguish on the failure of the concerned authorities to take tangible measures to check such tragedies on the roads in hilly areas.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK17-0840 of Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department was on its way to Sinthan in order to organize a special veterinary camp on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar when it plunged into deep gorge due to the dilapidated condition of the highway. All the occupants of the vehicle including District Sheep Husbandry Officer (DSHO) and Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS) died on the spot.
After receiving information about the accident, police party from Police Station Chatroo, Medical team from PHC Chatroo, veterinary team, Army personnel and local people rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies, which were later shifted to Primary Health Center, Chatroo.
The deceased have been identified as District Sheep Husbandry Officer (DSHO), Kishtwar Dr Mohd Rafiq Akhoon (57), son of Sanavullah Akhoon of Kishtwar, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS) Dr Amir Kamal, son of Ghulam Nabi Kamal of Kishtwar, Abdul Rehman (58), son of Lassa Reshi of Chatroo, Irshad Ahmed (42), son of Ghulam Mohammad Wani of Sheri Chatroo, Satlal Sharma (40), son of Gosawamu Ram of Berabhatta Kishtwar, Ghulam Ahmed (58), son of Mohammad Ramzan of Mullar Chingam, Assistant Stockman Darshan Kumar (52), son of Munshi Ram of district Samba, Jammu, Abdul Kareem (26), son of Ghulabo of Balana Sigdi and Rakesh Kumar (40), son of Prem Nath of Loidhar.
A case under FIR No 56/14 under Section 279 and 304-A RPC has been registered at Police Station Chatroo and investigation started.
Meanwhile, the people of Kishtwar held protest demonstration and demanded registration of FIR against GREF officials for not maintaining Kishtwar-Sinthan Top highway. “It was only due to dilapidated condition of the road that tragic accident took place”, they alleged.
Shabir Ahmed Kamal, uncle of deceased Dr Amir Kamal has decided to lodge FIR against the GREF tomorrow for its slackness in maintaining the road, which provides alternate link between Kishtwar and Anantnag via Sinthantop.
Governor, N N Vohra has also reacted sharply over the tragic road accident. “The Governor has expressed regret and deep anuish that while over a thousand innocent persons lose their lives in recurring road accidents every year, the concerned authorities have still to implement strict tangible measures to remedy the situation”, a spokesman of the Raj Bhawan said.
The Governor has conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also expressed grief over this road accident and conveyed his solidarity and sympathy to the bereaved families. He also prayed for peace to the departed souls.
Omar also announced compensation of Rs one lakh each for the deceased.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, while expressing deep sympathies with the bereaved families, has demanded adequate compensation for the families of deceased employees.
“Since they were travelling with the intention of carrying out their official responsibilities and providing services to the people in far flung and remote areas it will be imperative to compensate their families adequately”, he said.
Reiterating his stand to have a “Comprehensive Action Plan” for containing the rising number of accidents in Chenab Valley, Azad said State Government must take immediate steps to address this issue, as delay is leading to loss of precious lives.
“It is an emergent issue and State Government has to address it with all sensitivity. We are losing very precious lives and quality human resource in such accidents in Chenab Valley”, said Azad.
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