Tengpora road accident: Day after two teenagers die, call for stringent measures grows

Srinagar, Nov 15: The recent tragic accident in Tengpora, Srinagar, that claimed two minor lives and left two others critically injured, has exposed glaring issues surrounding minor driving and parental negligence. Traffic Police Srinagar City and concerned authorities have called for stringent measures to prevent such incidents.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police traffic city Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, one of the minors involved in the accident had been counselled just a week earlier, along with his father and another driver racing with him at the time. Shah said the counselling session lasted for over an hour, during which the dangers of reckless driving were explained. Despite these efforts, the tragic incident unfolded, leaving the city in shock.
“We did our part by counselling the minor and informing their parents. However, this shocking and devastating incident occurred. The law allows us to seize vehicles, but stricter measures are needed,” Shah stated. He urged the courts to take action against parents who allow minors to drive, emphasizing the need for accountability.
The Jammu and Kashmir Road Safety Foundation Chairman, Nasir Ali Khan, highlighted societal pressures as a contributing factor to such tragedies. “People are giving big vehicles to their minors to elevate their status in society. This materialistic approach is ending in disasters,” he remarked.
Khan also noted that his NGO has been actively promoting road safety thrice in a week but faces resistance. “We are often trolled for our efforts because people are unwilling to accept the reality,” he added, calling for a collective sense of responsibility.
Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Srinagar, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari, said he will request the invocation of Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act against negligent parents. The section addresses parental responsibility, a cognizable offence that cannot be settled out of court.
“We will ensure strict action against parents who aid and abet minor driving,” Bukhari stated, expressing confidence in the police’s ability to enforce the law effectively.
SSP Srinagar Muzaffar Shah echoed this sentiment, stating that unless some parents are held accountable, incidents involving minors driving vehicles will continue unabated.
The Tengpora accident has sent shockwaves throughout the city, with many blaming parental negligence for the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has expressed grave concern over rising road accidents and the alarming trend of rising road accidents involving juvenile drivers in the region, terming it a “loss of valuable assets” for the community.
KCCI said the loss of young lives in road accidents is deeply distressing. “One cannot help but feel for the shattered families left behind. But this trend also raises serious questions about why minors are being allowed to operate vehicles, even as basic as scooters, on our roads.”
The KCCI believes the death of these young individuals represent a significant setback for the region, as they are the future assets of Kashmir. “The loss of these young lives is a loss of our most precious resources. Entire families are left devastated, and it is a social issue that demands urgent attention,”.
The KCCI called upon traffic police authorities to take stringent action against any minors found operating vehicles, stressing the need for strict enforcement of traffic laws. “It is the responsibility of parents to ensure their children are not jeopardizing their own lives and the lives of others by driving underage or without licence. We urge the community to be vigilant and report any instances of minors driving to the relevant authorities,”
“It is high time we address this issue holistically. We need a multi-pronged approach that involves strengthening traffic enforcement, enhancing road safety measures, and most importantly, instilling a sense of responsibility among parents and young people. The future of Kashmir’s youth is at stake, and we cannot afford to lose any more lives to this preventable crisis.”