*QRTs, life saving ambulances only on papers
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 16: In a tragic accident nine persons were killed and 13 others sustained injuries when a rash and negligently driven mini-bus, they were travelling in, plunged into Neeru nullah under the jurisdiction of Bhaderwah Police Station this afternoon. The tragedy once again put a question mark on the steps, which the Government is claiming to have taken to tackle death of innocent people on the roads in the length and breadth of the State.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK06-1389 was heading towards Bhaderwah when it met with accident at Bhalla at around 3 pm. Like majority of road accidents in different parts of State particularly in hilly and mountainous erstwhile Doda district, today’s tragedy was also the horrendous outcome of the driver’s negligence.
According to the injured passengers, the vehicle was being driven very rashly and while overtaking some vehicles on Batote-Doda-Kishtwar National Highway 1B, the driver lost control over the mini-bus resulting into vehicle plunging into Neeru nullah.
Soon after getting information about the accident, a police party from Bhalla Police Post immediately rushed to the spot and started rescue operation by making use of all the available equipment and resources. Even troops of Rashtriya Rifles at Suigarh and Bhaderwah swung into action to help police and civil administration in the rescue operation. However, five passengers of the ill-fated vehicle were found dead on the bank of Neeru nullah.
SP Doda, Arif Rishu and senior officers of civil administration also rushed to the spot to personally supervise the rescue operation. After hectic efforts, dead bodies as well as 17 injured passengers were brought out of the nullah and rushed to District Hospital Doda. Later, four of them succumbed to injuries raising the toll in the accident to nine.
“Had there been Quick Reaction Team (QRT), which the Government is claiming to have formed in the hilly districts particularly erstwhile Doda district for prompt action in case of any road accident, the lives of four persons who succumbed to injuries in the Doda district could have been saved”, sources said, adding “notwithstanding the tall claims of the Government QRT comprising officers of different departments and having adequate necessary equipment and life saving ambulance has not been constituted in erstwhile Doda district till date”.
Keeping in view the critical condition of eight persons, District Development Commissioner (DDC) Doda, Farooq Ahmed Khan immediately made arrangements and got them shifted to Jammu for specialized treatment in the Government Medical College and Hospital. The condition of these injured as well as those admitted in the District Hospital Doda was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in. “The arrangement of airlifting of injured could not be made because of packed weather conditions”, sources said.
This was the third accident in Doda district during the current month. On January 8, three persons lost their lives when a Tavera met with an accident at Prem Nagar while as on January 10, one person was killed in accident at Gandoh. The frequent accidents clearly indicate that Government continued to be insensitive towards checking the menace of rash and negligent driving in hilly areas.
Meanwhile, the deceased passengers have been identified as Kiran Deep (45), son of Kishori Lal, Pushpa Devi (55), wife of Krishan Lal of Dugli Bhaderwah, Rinko Devi, daughter of Dev Raj, all the residents of Bhadewah, Sajad Ali, son of Sadiq Ali of Jharkhand, Asma Begum, wife of Nazir Hussain of Khelani, Nissar Ahmed, son of Abdul Rashid of Malna Bhaderwah, Shahid Hussain, son of Anayatullah of Bhaderwah, Om Raj, son of Jagat Ram of Gudsa and Janki, son of Budhi Ram of Malothi Bhaderwah.
The injured passengers have been identified as Swarna Devi, wife of Rajesh Kumar, Laxmi Devi, daughter of Rajesh Kumar, Abra Hamid, daughter of Abdul Hamid, Alia Begum, wife of Riyaz Ahmed, Nissar Ahmed, son of Suno Bhat, Asiya Hamid, wife of Talib Hussain, Irshad Hussain, son of Ghulam Qadir, Sansar Chand, son of Janki Nath, Rohit Sharma, son of Krishan Chand, Krishan Lal Kotwal, son of Ghori Lal, Mool Raj, son of Malyan Chand, Rutba Tabasum, daughter of Riyaz Ahmed and Jigar, son of Talib Hussain, all the residents of Bhaderwah.
Meanwhile, Governor N N Vohra expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of all those injured in the accident.
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah also expressed grief over the loss of human lives in the accident. In his condolence message to the bereaved, he expressed sympathy with them and prayed for peace to the departed souls. He also prayed for early recovery of the injured.
The Chief Minister has directed the district administration and the Health Department for providing all possible medical treatment to the injured.
Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, Member Parliament and president J&K Pradesh Congress Committee while expressing anguish over the accident termed it as very unfortunate and tragic. “Such accidents have become a routine in Chenab valley and the people concerned in the administration must take immediate steps to stop such incidents”, he added.
Newly inducted Ministers from the erstwhile Doda district—Abdul Majid Wani, Minister for R&B, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, Minister of State for Home and R&B and Viqar Rasool, MoS Technical Education also expressed shock over the tragic accident. They have directed the authorities to provide all possible medical treatment to the injured.
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