Ganderbal, Sept 06: Emotional scenes were witnessed in Kangan on Saturday as the bodies of three labourers, who lost their lives in the recent Kullu landslide in Himachal Pradesh, were brought home and laid to rest amid tearful prayers and mourning.
The bodies, airlifted from Chandigarh, arrived in Srinagar early Saturday and were handed over to families by SDM Kangan Nazir Ahmad. The funeral processions proceeded to the labourers’ native villages of Kijpora and Ari Guripora, where thousands gathered to pay their respects.
The deceased have been identified as Abdul Rashid Sheikh of Kijpora, and Mehraj-ud-Din Lone and Sajjad Ahmad Wani from Gundari Ari Kangan. One was buried in Kijpora, while the other two were laid to rest in Ari Guripora. Funeral prayers were attended by local officials, including MLA Gurez Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi.
Residents expressed deep grief over the loss, highlighting the hardships that forced the victims to seek work outside the Valley. “We sent them to earn a living, but they returned in coffins. Our hearts are broken,” said Shabir, a local resident.
The landslide struck Kullu district on Thursday, trapping several labourers, many from Jammu and Kashmir. While three bodies have been recovered and repatriated, sources confirmed three more victims from Kupwara, Bandipora, and Kangan have also been found. Rescue teams continue their efforts to recover others still missing.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali, MLA Gurez, and MP Mian Altaf Ahmad expressed condolences and prayers for the injured. MLA Gurez assured government compensation to the bereaved families and emphasized that retrieving the bodies remains a priority. Rescue operations by NDRF and local authorities in Kullu continue at full pace.
