Srinagar, Apr 16: Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed anguish over the loss of at least six lives, including four minors, in the incident of a boat capsizing on the river Jhelum near Batwara, Gandabal, in Srinagar on Tuesday. They have urged the administration to extend all help possible in retrieving the bodies and providing support to the families of the victims during this difficult time.
The tragic incident has deeply saddened the local community, and leaders have called for swift action to prevent such accidents in the future. The leaders called for the need for stricter safety measures and better infrastructure to ensure the safety of citizens, especially during water transport. They have urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the boat capsizing.
National Conference
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday expressed profound anguish over the loss of lives in the incident of a boat capsizing.
In his condolence message, Dr Farooq said, “Sending heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families. The delay in the construction of a footbridge highlights a missed opportunity to avert such tragedies. My deepest condolences to their families and I urge the administration to extend all help possible.”
In his message, Omar said, “Deeply concerned by the reports of a boat capsizing on the river Jhelum at Gandabal, Batwara near Srinagar. I hope & pray that all on board this boat are rescued safely & swiftly.”
Among others, Ali Muhammad Sagar, Nasir Aslam Wani, Senior leaders Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, A R Rather and Incharge lal Chowk Ahsan Pardesi also extended their deepest condolences to the grieved households.
Congress
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has expressed deep shock and anguish over the loss of various precious lives including school-going children after the boat capsized in River Jhelum in Srinagar. It termed the incident very unfortunate and heart-wrenching.
In a statement, the rank and file of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee expressed heartfelt condolences to those who lost their dear ones in this tragic incident of drowning. The party expressed solidarity with them and prayed for their courage to bear the irreparable loss. They said the loss that the bereaved families have suffered cannot be replaced by anything, words are little solace at this time of grief
“The incident has disappointed the entire J&K Pradesh Congress. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We equally share their grief and pain,” the party said.
The Congress said the District administration should have taken cognizance of the flood-like situation due to heavy rains rather they should have closed the schools for a day to avoid any kind of tragedies under the circumstances. “Unfortunately, no measures were taken in this regard,” the party said. It demanded immediate construction of a bridge at the incident site to avoid further incidents, in future.
CPI(M)
Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami CPI(M) leader has expressed grief and sorrow over the boat capsizing tragedy. He urged the administration to speed up the rescue operation.
The prolonged construction of the nearby footbridge reportedly pending for the last 20 years could have probably prevented such a tragedy, he said in a statement.
Tarigami expressed condolences to the bereaved families and urged the administration to provide adequate compensation to the victims’ families.
People’s Democratic Party
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Youth President and parliament candidate for the Srinagar-Pulwama constituency, Waheed ur Rehman Parra in a heartfelt statement, Parra conveyed his deep grief, stating, “I am deeply pained by the tragic accident in Batwara where a boat capsized, resulting in the loss of several precious lives, especially innocent children. This is an inconsolable and personal loss.”
Parra extended heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this tragedy and urged the administration to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved. He appealed to the LG administration to swiftly provide adequate compensation to the victim’s families. He urged the administration to look into the issues and probe why the construction of the bridge was delayed there.
Apni Party
Apni Party leaders, including President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, and other esteemed leaders, have expressed profound grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the incident of a boat capsizing.
According to a party statement issued here, Altaf Bukhari, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, and other esteemed party leaders have expressed their utmost grief and sorrow over the boat capsizing incident.
Bukhari said, “The loss of at least six precious lives, including four children, in this tragedy is heartbreaking. I am in deep shock and sorrow. My heartfelt sympathies go out to the families who have lost their loved ones in this horrific incident. May Allah grant them the strength they need to endure this devastating debacle.”
He urged the administration to ensure adequate compensation and all possible help for the bereaved families who lost their kith and kin in this unfortunate incident.
He said, “I request the LG administration to provide adequate compensation as well as all possible help to the families of the deceased. Also, I urge the administration to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the details, facts, and causes of this tragedy. It is essential to take necessary measures to prevent any such incident from occurring in the future.”
In his message, Ghulam Hassan Mir said, “This is a monumental tragedy for all of us. I am shocked and profoundly grieved over the loss of lives in this tragic incident. I extend my deepest sympathies to the affected families. May the Almighty grant them the strength to endure the pain of this irreparable and inconsolable loss.”
In his statement, Mohammad Ashraf Mir said, “I am devastated by this tragic incident. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. This painful incident has left the whole area in deep shock and trauma. I feel deeply traumatized. Personally, I am deeply affected and stand in unwavering solidarity with the grieving families.”
People’s Conference
J&K Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone extended his heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the devastating boat capsizing incident in Gandbal-Batwara on Tuesday morning.
Expressing deep distress over the tragic news, he particularly empathised with the loss of numerous minors in the incident.
“It is such distressing news. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. So many minors have lost their lives. My prayers and thoughts are with the parents during this unimaginably difficult time,” he said.
Lone called upon the administration and SDRF teams to expedite rescue operations and ensure the survivors receive prompt and best possible medical care. He urged the authorities to provide all possible help to the bereaved families during this difficult time.
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Provincial President, Mohammed Khurshid Alam in a statement said, “Our hearts ache as we mourn the devastating loss of young lives in this unfortunate incident. It’s an unimaginable tragedy that has left our entire community in shock and grief.”
Alam highlighted the lack of infrastructure, particularly the absence of a bridge at Batwara, as indicative of the failure of previous governments to prioritize citizen safety. “It’s heart-wrenching to think that precious lives could have been saved if the necessary measures had been taken earlier. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time,” he said.
In addition to demanding accountability for the tragedy, the PC leader stressed the importance of providing support to the families of the victims. He called for financial assistance to be extended to these economically disadvantaged families to help them cope with the profound loss they have endured.
People’s Democratic Front
Chairman of People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen in a statement expressed his profound sorrow over the tragic incident and called for a thorough inquiry to determine the causes and responsibilities behind the accident.
He highlighted the urgent need to complete the under-construction bridge near the accident site, emphasising that the delay in its construction has put the lives of locals at risk.
Yaseen said the absence of a bridge in the area has forced residents to rely on boats for transportation, leading to today’s tragedy. Despite assurances from authorities, the promised bridge has yet to materialise, leaving the community vulnerable to such accidents, he added.
He urged the government to expedite the completion of the bridge and provide adequate compensation to the families of the deceased as a gesture of support during this difficult time. While acknowledging that no amount of compensation can alleviate the pain of loss, he emphasized the importance of immediate assistance to the affected families.
Expressing heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, the former minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls. He called for intensified search operations to locate any remaining missing students and demanded free medical treatment for those injured in the accident.
