PM, LG announce ex-gratia for NoKs of deceased, injured
Violations by passenger vehicles remain unchecked in hilly areas
Ajay Raina
JAMMU, Oct 28: In a tragic accident, 12 persons were killed and 14 others sustained injuries when an overloaded mini-bus rolled down into gorge at Sui Gawari on Batote-Kishtwar Highway this morning. The accident has brought to the fore that violations of Traffic and Motor Vehicle Rules by the passenger vehicles are not being checked by the concerned authorities even after repeated directions from the Government.
As per the reports, the overloaded mini-bus bearing registration number JK17-4021 was on its way from Thathri to Doda when the driver lost control over the vehicle as a result of which it rolled down the mountainous slopes into the gorge near Sui Gowari leading to on the spot death of 9 persons including driver and injuries to 17 others.
Soon after the accident, Police, Army and Disaster Response Force personnel rushed to the spot and started rescue operation with the help of locals. After hectic efforts, all the occupants of the ill-fated vehicle were brought out of the gorge and shifted to Government Medical College Doda where two injured succumbed to the injuries raising the death toll to 11.
Later, on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who was monitoring the situation personally since morning, seven injured people were airlifted to Jammu for specialized treatment in the Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu in IAF MI 17 helicopter captained by Squadron Leader Ganeshprasad Honakuppe. A lady succumbed to her injuries during treatment at GMCH Jammu raising the death toll to 12. Six other injured persons were responding to the treatment, when reports last came in.
As per the reports, eight injured persons who were admitted in the Government Medical College Doda were responding to the treatment and their condition was out of danger. Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Raghav Langer also visited GMC Doda to enquire about the condition of persons injured in Doda road accident. Divisional Commissioner directed the hospital administration to provide the best treatment to the injured for their early recovery.
Divisional Commissioner also ordered magisterial enquiry into the cause of the tragic accident. Additional District Magistrate Doda, Dr RK Bharti has been asked to conduct enquiry and submit the enquiry report and findings within one week. Expressing grief over the loss of precious lives in the road mishap, the Divisional Commissioner asked the District Administration to take concrete measures to prevent such mishaps. The Divisional Commissioner was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Doda, Vikas Sharma, ADC Doda, Dr RK Bharti, Chief Medical Officer, Yaqooq Mir and other health officers.
Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor has already directed the Doda district administration to provide all necessary assistance to the families who have lost their loved ones and all those who were injured in the tragic accident.
He also visited Government Medical College Jammu to enquire about the well-being of injured persons. He gave explicit directions to doctors at GMC to ensure best possible medical care of the injured for their early recovery.
The Lieutenant Governor has also announced Rs 3 lakh compensation for the Next of Kins (NoKs) of each deceased, Rs 2 lakh from LG’s Discretionary Fund and Rs 1 lakh from Road Victim Fund as immediate relief.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the deaths in the tragic road accident.
“Saddened by the road accident. In this hour of grief, I convey my condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that the people who have been injured recover at the earliest. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the accident in Jammu and Kashmir. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000”, PM said in a Tweet.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Lieutenant Governor and expressed shock over the loss of lives in the accident. “Saddened by the road accident in J&K’s Doda. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident. I have spoken to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. The administration is providing all possible help and treatment to the injured. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured”, Shah said in a Tweet.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also Member of Parliament from the area, spoke to DC Doda Vikas Sharma and directed that all possible assistance should be provided to the injured persons.
“Deeply anguished to hear about the tragic road accident. My thoughts and prayers are for the families who have lost their loved ones. Have directed the District Administration to provide immediate relief to families of deceased and best medical assistance to the injured”, Union Minister said in a Tweet.
The deceased have been identified as Ghulam Hussain Shah (60), son of Maqbool Shah, his son Shabbir Ahmed (30), residents of Bharote Mohalla, Rhitik Sharma (19), son of Lekh Raj of Jhateli, Jamal Din (23), son of Lal Din of Bakhana Mohala, Mohammad Latief (65), son of Mohammad Ramzan of Bohrawa Seri, Anari Devi (55), wife of late Swami Raj of Sisol Barshalla Thathri, Bhadur Singh (65), son of Hari Singh of Shirdhani Bhella, Kamal Singh (40), son of Dharam Singh of Paryote, Gori Devi (65), wife of Bid Lal of Tantana, Santosh Kumar (22), son of Som Nath of Bhawna Kanthi Mohalla, Rajesh Kumar (24), son of Budhi Singh of Purnot and Monika Devi (24), daughter of Bansi Lal of Panthan Prem Nagar.
The injured undergoing treatment at GMC Doda were identified as Sanjay (18), son of Santosh Kumar of Panaja, Naveed Akhter (45), son of Ghulam Mustafa of Thalela, Neetu Devi (17), daughter of Lakshman Singh of Korara, Vikram Singh (22), son of Gulab Chand od Balwana, Ashok Kumar (22), son of Vidya Lal, Mukesh Kumar (32), son of Sugrev Sharma of Kareli Mohalla, Arif Hussain (21), son of Mohammad Musa of Kahra and Saveeta Devi (45), wife of Ramesh Kumar of Dhal Mohalla.
The injured, who were airlifted and undergoing treatment at GMC Hospital Jammu are Babar Hussain (25), son of Alla Datta of Thalela, Rahit (21), son of Sugrev Sharma of Malwana, Santosha Devi (47), wife of Gurdev Singh of Prem Nagar, Poonam Devi (22), daughter of Balwant Singh of Prem Nagar, Ramesh Kumar (27), son of Hem Raj of Thathri and Parvez Ahmed (38), son of Khursheed Ahmed of Arif Mohalla Thathri.
“The accident is the outcome of non-serious approach of the concerned authorities towards unabated violation of Traffic and Motor Vehicle Rules by the passenger vehicles in the hilly areas”, sources said, adding had there been any check over the overloading the accident could have been avoided”.
A case under FIR Number 175/2021 under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A IPC has been registered at Police Station Bhaderwah and investigation set into motion to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Meanwhile, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah expressed deep shock and grief over the deaths in the tragic accident. They conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls.
Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of J&K Ghulam Nabi Azad has also expressed heartfelt grief on the loss of lives in the accident. He demanded adequate compensation for the family members of deceased and proper medical attention to injured.
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