Motor accident that happened on Srinagar-Baramulla road resulting in the loss of seven lives and serious injuries to two others has sent a wave of shock in the entire Valley. The Governor and the Chief Minister have expressed their deep sorrow on the loss of lives. This accident is followed by another tragedy in which a civilian vehicle plunged into Suroo nullah in Kargil resulting in the death of seven occupants of the vehicle. We convey condolence to the bereaved families that have suffered the tragic deaths, and pray for patience to bear the loss.
Road accidents do happen despite ceaseless efforts by Traffic Police to see to it that movement of vehicles is as smooth as possible. There are various causes of these accidents like mechanical failure, error on the part of the driver, visibility problem, slippery ground or faulty bridges and culverts etc. Everybody wants safe journey to be back with their friends and families. But as the axiom goes, death keeps no calendar. Accidents do happen and lives get destroyed. In the case of accident on Srinagar-Baramulla road in particular case, very tragic as it is, police authorities have registered a case and proper inquiry into the causes and nature of accident will be held. But to jump to the conclusion that the driver of the Army vehicle or the driver of the private car which carried passengers was at fault and should be punished by the mobs is not the way of handling such situations. Unruly mobs targeted the driver of the Army vehicle and would have harmed him physically if more troops had not rushed to the spot to control the situation. It is absolutely unrealistic on the part of Kashmir dissident political leaders to capitalize on incidents of road accident and use it for stirring up passions among the people against the Army. The Army Commander has formally expressed his anguish on the loss of lives and a probe has been promised. We expect senior leaders to behave with great sense of responsibility on such occasions. It is not a matter of settling political score but of human tragedy. We know that separatists and secessionists have been seeking even the smallest pretext to stir public demonstration in the Valley. They are not interested in contributing to peace process. But it is their mistake to think that a Government can be cowed down by intimidating acts or by insinuating the public with political undertones while giving call for strike.
We would appeal to the people of the Valley not to get swayed by the politically motivated insinuation by irresponsible leaders who want to ensure their popularity by catering to sentiments of violence and lawlessness. A State is not ruffled by these gimmicks. A matured society needs to think in a matured manner and not play in the hands of selfish leadership.
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