Srinagar, Apr 27: Amid the sorrowful echoes of a son’s funeral, prayers resonated for the father’s return as he remains missing in the Gandbal boat tragedy, which occurred on April 16 this month. After 12 days of relentless search operations, a glimmer of closure emerges as the body of a missing minor was finally retrieved from river Jhelum near Noorbagh locality on Saturday.
Amidst the tears and prayers for the departed soul, another sombre reality lingers—his father remains missing, his fate entangled with the depths of the river. Scores of people had gathered, their sorrow blatant as they witnessed the return of the young boy’s body. However, amidst this solemn gathering, a stark absence looms—the father, still untraceable despite the tireless efforts of rescue teams.
On Friday, the body of a minor was found at Zero Bridge, Rajbagh, marking the first of the trio to be retrieved. This morning, another boy was found near the Noor Bagh area of Srinagar locality. Yet, the pain deepens as one person, identified as Showket Ahmad, remains missing. His absence casts a shadow over Gandbal, and his family clings to hope amidst the despair.
According to residents, “For Showket’s elderly mother, each day is a relentless cycle of hope and despair. She visits the site, her heart heavy with longing, only to return home empty-handed. Yet, undeterred by grief, she returns the next day, her resilience proof of a mother’s unwavering love.”
As Gandbal mourns, questions linger, could the tragedy have been averted if proper infrastructure, like a bridge, had been in place? The absence of such amenities amplifies the anguish of the affected families, leaving them grappling with a sense of injustice.
Moreover, scrutiny falls upon the rescue efforts of the NDRF and SDRF. The delay in retrieving the bodies raises concerns about the efficacy of their training and preparedness. Locals demand more rigorous training, urging authorities to equip rescue teams to respond swiftly to such crises.
