Srinagar/Jammu, Nov 15: A tragic bus accident in Doda claimed the lives of 38 people and left more than a dozen others injured. Political parties across Jammu and Kashmir expressed condolences, demanded immediate action and called for a thorough investigation into the root causes.
National Conference calls for better road safety measures
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, led by party president Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the tragic accident. The duo conveyed their condolences to the families affected and hoped for a speedy recovery for the injured. Omar lamented the persistent issue of road accidents despite talks of progress and development.
Party leaders, including Ali Muhammad Sagar, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, and others, joined in expressing sorrow, urging the government to provide the best medical treatment to the injured and address the systemic issues contributing to such accidents.
The NC leaders emphasized the need for immediate action to enhance road safety measures in the region. Dr Farooq, in his condolence message, stated, “The news of the loss of lives and injuries to many others is heart-wrenching. My condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest.”
Expressing anguish over the incident, Omar said, “Deeply saddened to hear of this tragic accident that has claimed 36 precious lives. Sadly for all the talk of progress & development, we are not able to stop the steady stream of accidents, often with an unacceptably high death toll. My heart goes out to the families of those who have died, and prayers for those injured.”
NC District President, Ramban Sajjad Shaheen said the highway and its peripheral roads have unfortunately turned into death road. “The process, however, requires strict scientific action from the administration, which unfortunately has shut its eyes and ears to the mounting road accidents,” he said.
DPAP demands infrastructure upgrade
Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is also the chairman of DPAP, expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragic accident. Azad called for urgent attention to the condition of roads and highways in Doda, emphasizing the need for infrastructure improvement to prevent future accidents. He criticized the lack of focus on the region’s development and road safety since his term as chief minister.
Azad urged the Lt Governor administration to provide relief to the victims’ families and ensure specialized treatment for the injured. He stressed the importance of a thorough investigation into the recurring accidents, emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to road safety.
In a statement, Azad said, “The government should probe the reasons behind the frequent road accidents in Chenab Valley. After my government is formed in J&K, the major emphasis will be given to upgrade and enhance roads of Doda district, especially the Highways which have witnessed frequent road accidents.”
He further added, “Over the years, the Doda region has been ignored by the people at the helm of affairs, despite the region being landlocked with limited opportunities for its people.”
Azad highlighted the serious complaints regarding traffic rules not being followed by drivers in Doda district, calling for the formation of special police squads to keep an eye on violators.
Congress demands accountability
Ghulam Ahmad Mir, a Congress Working Committee Member, expressed shock and pain over the loss of precious lives, leaving scores critically injured in the bus accident. Mir termed the incident most unfortunate, shocking, and heartbreaking and expressed anguish and pain over the tragic incident, which has devastated dozens of families.
Mir said, “I have no words to express my grief; the loss of precious lives in this unfortunate incident has made me speechless. My heart goes out to those who have lost their dear ones.”
Criticizing the government’s failure to contain such incidents, Mir demanded accountability and responsibility for the unfortunate incident and those that happened in the past.
Raman Bhalla and Ravinder Sharma, senior Congress leaders, visited the injured at GMC hospital in Jammu. They urged the LG administration to provide financial relief to the victims’ families and specialized treatment for the injured. The leaders called for a thorough investigation into the accident’s causes.
BJP offers condolences
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), through its Media Incharge Sajid Yousuf Shah, expressed its deepest condolences for the lives lost in the accident. The party extended support to the affected families and emphasized the need for a speedy recovery for the injured.
Adv Sajid Yousuf Shah, the BJP Media Incharge Kashmir, said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life in this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this difficult time.”
The BJP J&K Executive Member Raman Suri also demanded an inquiry into the incident, holding authorities accountable for their duties in managing traffic and road conditions.
CPI(M) for comprehensive study to address rising accidents
CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami expressed shock and grief, emphasizing that the Doda district has become a death trap with frequent accidents. Tarigami called for a comprehensive study by experts to address the ongoing issues contributing to these accidents. He urged the administration to provide compensation to the victims’ families and free medical treatment for the injured.
Tarigami said, “Mere expressing grief and condolences are not enough. What is required is to thoroughly get this area studied by experts for effective measures so that more lives are not put at stake.”
Apni Party demands immediate action and investigation
Apni Party President Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari demanded immediate airlifting of critically injured persons for specialized treatment. Expressing grief over the accident, he called for a detailed investigation, compensation for victims’ families, and accountability for those responsible.
“The critically injured should be provided specialized treatment on a priority basis,” said Bukhari while demanding adequate compensation for the next of kin who lost their lives in the road accident at Assar.
He expressed sympathy with the bereaved family members who lost their loved ones in the road mishap and demanded compensation for all the victims of the road accident.
Bukhari said, “The traffic police should act against overloading and speedy vehicles on the hilly roads that often lead to fatal road accidents and loss of lives. The transport department and traffic police should work in coordination so that traffic rule violators can be identified, and action can be taken accordingly.”
He suggested, “A safety audit of the roads across Chenab Valley should be conducted regarding its safety for the commuters, and corrective measures should also be taken. There is a need to fix accountability both on the public transport, traffic police, and civil administration to ensure such road accidents can be avoided in the future.”
PDF calls for safety audit of roads
Chairman Peoples Democratic Front and former Minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen expressed deep shock and grief over the loss of lives and injuries in a tragic bus accident in Assar Doda.
In a message, Hakeem Yaseen demanded adequate ex-gratia relief for the victims and adequate medical treatment for the injured passengers. He said seriously injured passengers should be immediately airlifted to AIIMs Delhi for specialized emergency treatment.
PDF chairman sought an in-depth inquiry into the heart-wrenching accident, blaming the negligence of traffic authorities, careless driving, and poor road network for frequent accidents in the region. “A safety audit of the roads across Chenab Valley should be conducted regarding its safety for the commuters, and corrective measures should also be taken. There is a need to fix accountability both on the public transport, traffic police, and civil administration to ensure such road accidents can be avoided in the future,” he suggested.
AAP demands compensation
AAP-J&K expressed grief and anguish over the tragic bus accident and demanded immediate relief for the affected families and called for strict action against those responsible for the negligence leading to the accident.
Kuldeep Kumar Rao, State Organization Building & Manifesto drafting committee Member, AAP J&K-UT, Jammu, in a statement, expressed grief over the loss of precious lives and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
Rao appealed to the Lt. Governor of J&K-UT Manoj Sinha, to immediately release Rs 10 lakh as ex-gratia relief in favor of kin of the poor deceased and also Rs 2 lakh to the seriously injured ones.
