*Vehicle was being driven by unlicensed driver
Ajay Raina
JAMMU, Aug 28 : In yet another tragic accident on mountainous district of Ramban, eight persons including six women were killed and two others sustained severe injuries when a Tata Sumo, they were travelling in, plunged into deep gorge in Nachlana area of Banihal early this morning.
The vehicle was being driven by unlicensed driver, who jumped out of the vehicle as soon as it went out of his control, and remained absconding till tonight. The incident has once again brought to the fore that authorities, who are required to check that unlicensed drivers don’t play with the lives of the commuters, are not ready to perform their duties although numerous directions in this regard were issued that too following the concerns of the Governor, N N Vohra.
As his earlier discussions and correspondence on the subject has failed to yield any positive result as far as checking road accidents particularly in the hilly areas is concerned, the Governor has now sought the personal intervention of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK19-1902 was on its way to a ‘Sulphur Spring’ in Khadi-Mohu-Mangat belt, when the driver failed to negotiate a sharp curve as a result of which vehicle plunged into 400 meters deep gorge.
Soon after losing control over the vehicle, the driver jumped out of the vehicle after putting the lives of 10 passengers into grave risk. Eight passengers including six women died on the spot while as two others sustained grievous injuries.
On getting information about the accident, Army jawans from Rashtriya Rifles unit based at Nachlana swung into action and started rescue operation with the help of locals. Later, police also joined the rescue operation.
After hectic efforts, all the occupants of the ill-fated vehicle were brought out of the gorge and rushed to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Banihal where eight of them were pronounced as brought dead. Two injured were, later, referred to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura Srinagar for specialized treatment. Their condition was stated to be critical when reports last came in.
According to the reports, the people used to visit ‘Sulphur Spring’ with a belief that its water can cure any ailment. All those travelling in the ill-fated vehicle were also heading towards this spring but they were not aware that death was waiting for them.
Though the single road leading to the Sulphur Spring is traffic worthy but there are no parapets. Had there been proper parapets, the vehicle could have not plunged into gorge and might have struck with the parapets, people said.
The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Ismayal Daing (a retired Government teacher), son of Abdullah Daing of Tajnihal, his wife Jana Begum, Abdul Rouf, son of Gulam Akbar of Talab Nachlana, Syma Banoo, daughter of Gulam Akbar of Talab Nachlana, Zahida Banoo, daughter of Gulam Rasool of Talab Nachlana, Reveena Begum, wife of Mohammad Shammim, Mohammad Shafi, son of Haji Gulam Akbar of Khari, Rouf Ahmed, son of Gulam Akbar of Talab Nachlana and Shaista Banoo, daughter of Gulzar Ahmed Sohil of Talab Nachlana.
The injured are Hameeda Begum, wife of Rouf Ahmed and Irfan, son of Mohammad Ismail, both residents of Tajnihal Nachlana.
The tragic accident has brought to the fore that the authorities, who are required to ensure that passenger vehicles are driven only by the licensed drivers, are not ready to perform their duties. Not only absconding driver even the owner of the vehicle is required to be punished as he was equally responsible for risking the lives of the passengers by allowing unlicensed driver to ply the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Governor NN Vohra has expressed grief over the accident and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families. He has wished speedy recovery to those injured in the accident.
According to Raj Bhavan Secretariat sources, the Governor while recalling earlier discussions and correspondence on the subject, has urged the Chief Minister to personally review the status of the remedial measures so far taken to reduce the incidence of recurring road accidents which result in to loss of innocent lives. He has also recalled his earlier suggestion that barriers and surveillance of speed should be enforced in the known areas where accidents take place frequently.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also expressed deep grief over the loss of precious human lives in this tragic accident. He has sanctioned Rs 1 lakh relief in favour of deceased and Rs 10,000 for injured.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad has also expressed grief and shock over the loss of precious human lives in the road accident.
While conveying his deep condolences to the bereaved families, Mr Azad said that he share the grief and pain of those who have lost their loved ones. He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and wished speedy recovery of those who have got injured in the heart-rending accident.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban Farooq Shah Bukhari, who visited the accident site, distributed relief of Rs one lakh each as announced by the Chief Minister, among the next of the kin of deceased and Rs 10,000 from district administration to each injured person.
DDC has requested the people not to visit the spring before proper examination and analysis of the water through the concerned Government agencies. He instructed the CMO Ramban and Food Controller Ramban to take necessary steps for testing of water to ascertain whether it is fit for human consumption or not.
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