Accident raises questions over performance of several agencies
IAF, State choppers pressed into service to airlift critically injured
Ajay Raina
RAMBAN, Oct 6: Failure of the concerned authorities to check overloading in the passenger vehicles has led to one more tragic accident, this time on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district where a mini-bus plunged into deep gorge killing 22 persons including a father along with his two daughters and leaving 14 others critically injured.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK19-1593 was on its way to Ramban from Banihal when the driver lost control over the vehicle due to overloading coupled with snag in the steering. The vehicle fell into around 250 feet deep gorge near Kela Morh area under the jurisdiction of Ramban Police Station.
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On getting information about the mishap, police personnel led by Additional SP Ramban Sanjay Parihar and SHO Ramban Inspector Vijay Kotwal rushed to the spot and with the help of locals, Red Cross volunteers and Army personnel started rescue operation.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban Showkat Aijaz and SSP Ramban Anita Sharma reached the spot to personally supervise the rescue operation.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma closely monitored the rescue operation.
All the 16 injured persons were brought out of the gorge after hectic efforts and shifted to District Hospital Ramban from where 12 injured persons were later airlifted to Army Hospital Udhampur for advanced treatment in four helicopters of State Government and Indian Air Force. One injured was shifted to Bone and Joint Hospital Srinagar, while three injured persons are under treatment at District Hospital Ramban.
Fifteen persons died on-the-spot, while seven others succumbed to injuries at District Hospital Ramban and Army Hospital Udhampur, thereby taking the death toll to 22.
After completing medical and legal formalities, the bodies have been handed over to legal heirs for last rites.
The accident has once again established that checking overloading in the passenger vehicles is still not a priority for all the concerned authorities particularly the Traffic Police, which otherwise is coming out with official statements after regular intervals boasting of initiating several steps to check the menace.
“Had there been enough checking on the highway by the Traffic Police personnel the overloading in the vehicle could have been timely detected and accident avoided”, sources said, adding “the accident has also raised several questions vis-à-vis performance of the Motor Vehicle Department which is supposed to check fitness of the vehicles particularly those plying in the hilly areas so as to avoid accidents”.
Even the District Police cannot absolve itself of the responsibility of checking overloading in the vehicles as police personnel at the checking points also have the powers to check vehicles for violation of Traffic and Motor Vehicle Rules and take appropriate action.
The deceased have been identified as Mashqoor Ahmed Giri, son of late Mohammad Ayoub Giri of Bankoot Banihal, Mohammad Shafi Rather, son of Ghulam Hussain Rather of Doligam Banihal, Sunil Singh, son of Rattan Singh of Digdool Ramban, Mohammad Irfaan, son of Mohammad Suliman of Panthyal Ramban, Manzoor Ahmed, son of Amdullah Bhat of Senabathi Gugrara Ukheral, Nayeem Ahmed, son of Mohammad Yaseen Ganie of Maligam Ukheral, Rukshanda, daughter of Mohammad Rafiq Wani of Chanjloo Banihal, Farheen, daughter of Mohammad Rafiq Wani of Chanjloo Banihal, Rayaz Ahmed Khan, son of Abdul Rasheed Khan of Tethar Banihal, Mohammad Iqbal Shah, son of Noor Din Shah of Chakka Rajgarh, Mohammad Ramzan Wani, son of Momjau Wani of Doligam Banihal, Mustaq Ahmed Ganie, son of Mohammad Ramzan Ganie of Doligam Banihal, Rashma, daughter of Ismail Gouger of Amkoot Banihal, Tanveer Ahmed Baigh, son of Mohammad Afzal Baigh of Kaskoot Banihal, Kajal Devi, daughter of Tarith Singh of Marog Ramban, Ramtullah Rather (driver), son of Abdul Gani Rather of Tantarypora Banihal, Mudasir Ahmed Mir, son of Abdul Jabber Mir of Bankoot Banihal, Mohammad Yousef Kumar, son of Amdullah Kumar of Darshipor and Utkaranth Mangotra, son of Surash Mangotra of District Udhampur, Mohammad Rafiq Wani, son of Habibulllah of Chanjloo Banihal, Mohammad Iqbal, son of Fateh Mohammad of Khari and Narsingh Dayal, son of Bishan Dass, a resident of Purmandal, District Samba.
The injured have been identified as Abdul Qayoom, son of Mohammad Sultan of Dhardhei Ramsoo, Damandeep, son of Ashok Singh of Maroog, Majid Ahmed (conductor), son of Abdul Rashid of Alinbas, Shabir Ahmed Beig, son of Ahmed Beigh of Lamber Banihal, Showket Hussain, son of Manzoor Hussain of Samba, Jaffer Ali, son of Abdul Ali of Danar Nowgam Banihal, Abdul Ahad of Zenihal Banihal, Mohammad Shareef, son of Shams Din of Wagan Chamalwass, Mohammad Ismail, son of Nizam Din of Chamalwass, Rabia, daughter of Mohammad Rafi of Sonwari, Bashir Ahmed, son of Mehroom Mir Ali of Chamalwass, Rajesh Kumar, son of Harbans Lal of Ramsoo and Raees Ahmed Tantary, son of Ghulam Rassol Tantary of Banigam. Identity of one injured person was not ascertained when last reports were compiled.
Meanwhile, Governor Satya Pal Malik has expressed grief over the loss of lives in this road accident.
In his message, Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families. He has wished speedy recovery to those injured in this accident. Governor has directed the district administration Ramban to provide best possible health care to those injured in Government hospitals.
He has announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh to the next kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to injured persons.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has also expressed grief over the tragic accident and conveyed his condolence to the bereaved families. Dr Singh also spoke to DC Doda Showkat Aijaz and offered all possible help. He also urged the Governor to take immediate measures to curb the menace of overloading on the hilly roads in Jammu and Kashmir especially in the districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban.
Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, PDP President and Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah have also expressed grief over the loss of lives. They prayed for peace to the departed souls and strength to the members of their families in bearing the irreparable loss. They also prayed for speedy recovery of those injured in the accident.
Director School Education Jammu Rakesh Kumar Srangal has expressed grief over the demise of Mudassir Ahmed Mir, teacher, Mohammad Irfaan and Sunil Singh, both students of Government Higher Secondary School Ramban in this tragic road accident. On behalf of department, he extended heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families.
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