Girl hit by shooting stone, dies; people protest

People protest after death of minor girl with shooting stone on road in Budhal area on Saturday. —Excelsior/Imran
People protest after death of minor girl with shooting stone on road in Budhal area on Saturday. —Excelsior/Imran

Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, May 11: A minor girl was killed after being hit by a shooting stone in Budhal area of Rajouri district today.
Official sources said that minor girl, Shazia Akhter (13), was hit by a rolling boulder while passing through a landslide prone area near her village, Dandote in Budhal area on Saturday. The girl was shifted to local hospital where she was declared brought dead.
The girl’s death sparked protest by the family members, relatives and villagers who demanded legal action against the private company, Shri Girraj Ji Infra Heights Pvt Ltd engaged for upgradation work of Budhal-Mahore road.

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The agitating relatives and villagers kept girl’s body on the road and started protest demonstration. They were demanding action against the construction company for negligence and compensation in favour of victim’s family.
“The careless work and negligence on the part of the construction company resulted in the death of the girl. We want the administration to initiate action against the company and ensure adequate compensation to the family,” Farooq Inqlabi, a local social activist said.
He said on Friday a landslide blocked the road, connecting Rajouri with Reasi district but the concerned company employed its men and machinery and cleared the debris. However, despite shooting stones from the hillock, the company allowed movement on the road resulting in the loss of precious human life, he added.
Another local leader Manzoor Ahmed Naik said that despite long wait no one from the administration and company side visited the dharna site. He warned the company officials of direct action if they remained silent over the issue.
However, after three hours of protest Tehsildar Kotranka, Sahil Ali Shah reached the spot and assured the victim’s family compensation under SDRF norms and also from Red Cross and action against construction company under laws. The people then lifted protest dharna.