Jammu, May 24: Political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir have expressed grief over the death of seven labourers and injuries to multiple others in a fateful accident near the dam construction site in Dachan tehsil of Kishtwar. They also demanded an inquiry into the incident besides compensation to the next of kin of the victims.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president and Member of the Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah have expressed profound grief over the death of labourers and injuries to multiple others in the fateful accident.
The duo expressed their deepest sympathies and condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the unfortunate mishap. They impressed upon the authorities including the private company that had hired these labourers to ensure adequate compensation to the next of kin of victims and also ascertain the reasons that led to the tragic accident.
They prayed that those injured are able to recover soon and that they are also well compensated by the authorities concerned. Other party leaders also expressed anguish over the fatalities in the accident.
Former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir expressed anguish and grief over the loss of seven precious lives in the Kishtwar road accident, terming it “very unfortunate and shocking”. He expressed solidarity with the family of those who lost their lives and prayed for their courage to bear the irreparable loss.
“Frequent incidents of road accidents in Chenab Valley and elsewhere in J&K are a matter of serious concern attributing fear psychosis to local travelers,” Mir said in a statement. He urged the LG administration to look into the matter and take more effective measures to avoid such unfortunate incidents.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman and former J&K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad sought a thorough inquiry into the fatal accident. He also sought adequate compensation for the next of kin of the victims’ families and special treatment for those injured in the tragic accident.
Azad in a statement issued here said, “All the killed and injured in the accident were working for a private company working on the Pakaldul power project. The locals have levelled allegations that the company is using outdated transport for the employees working on the project. According to them, the accident took place after the vehicle they were travelling in slipped from the road.”
“The locals also accused the company of not providing safety equipment to the employees due to which such unfortunate incidents happen. So, I demand an inquiry into the allegations and alongside adequate compensation by both the company and government to the victim families,” he said.
Jammu Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President Raman Bhalla expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the accident and prayed for a speedy recovery to the injured. In a statement, Bhalla expressed condolence and solidarity with the bereaved families and termed the accident “unfortunate”. He demanded all possible help for the affected families.
“Despite being aware of the reasons, the administration is finding it difficult to prevent fatal road accidents particularly in hilly areas of the Jammu region as during the past three years there is a continuous rise in mishaps leading to loss of precious lives,” he said.
“No doubt, in the official circles it is claimed by the concerned agencies that remedial measures are being taken but the official figures clearly reveal that all these measures have failed to prevent the accidents,” he said. “Though the concerned agencies claim significant achievement in curbing road accidents, yet these incidents are on the rise, particularly in the Doda-Kishtwar belt and this remains a million-dollar question.”
“All the concerned agencies are required to sit together and try to chalk out the strategy so that fatal accidents are prevented,” he added.
Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed grief over the tragic accident in Kishtwar. In his statement issued here, Bukhari while expressing his grief over the tragic accident, said, “I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased and pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured in this mishap.”
“In this hour of grief, I stand in solidarity with the families of the deceased, and I pray to Almighty Allah to give them enough strength to bear the pain of this irreparable and inconsolable loss and rest the departed souls in eternal peace. I also pray for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in this tragic road accident,” he added.
State President CITU, J&K Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami while expressing solidarity with the bereaved demanded adequate compensation to the victim families and free treatment to those injured in the accident.
