Ajay Raina
RAMBAN, Jan 1: The New Year celebrations turned into mourning for some of the families, when their 10 members were killed and four others received injuries in a devastating fire, which broke out at the base camp of Bay Construction Company (BCC), engaged in construction of Chenani-Nashri tunnel at Dalwas area of Chanderkote on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
As per police sources, there was a fire caused probably by a short circuit at the barracks of labourers working on Chenani-Nashri tunnel project, being constructed by BCC at Dalwas area in Chanderkote belt at around 12:15 am today.
After getting information about the incident at 12:30 am, police team from Chanderkote police station led by SHO Inspector Manzoor Ahmed Kohli acting swiftly rushed to the spot and informed Department of Fire and Emergency Services about the incident.
The fire fighters along with three fire tenders from Ramban and Batote reached the spot and started operation to douse the flames.
Police personnel, Army personnel, SDRF personnel, construction workers and locals also assisted the fire fighters to control the fire.
On getting information, DC Ramban Bashir Ahmed Dar and SSP Ramban Randeep Kumar also reached the spot and supervised the whole operation.
After hectic efforts of around two hours, the fire was brought under control, but till then the barracks were razed to ashes.
Later, police and other agencies launched search operation and recovered 10 dead bodies, which were charred beyond recognition.
In the incident, four labourers were injured and were shifted to Community Health Centre (CHC) Batote, where three were discharged after first aid and condition of one admitted there is stated to be stable, when reports last came in.
During preliminary investigation, it came to fore that the construction workers died of asphyxia and burns. The deceased included earth mover operators, helpers and labourers from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and different places of Jammu and Kashmir.
All the charred dead bodies were shifted to District Hospital Ramban for identification. The doctors have taken DNA samples of the bodies, as they are charred beyond recognition.
According to the data provided by the tunnel construction company to police, the deceased have been identified as LMV drivers Ishtiaq Ahmed Bhat (23), son of Amir-ud-Din Bhat and Sheikh Irfan (24), son of Najib-ur-Rehman, both residents of Chareel, tehsil Banihal, 20-year-old Nasir-ud-Din Shah (Safety Helper), son of Rehmat Ullah of Tethar, tehsil Banihal, Rohit Singh (JCB Operator), son of Subash Singh, a resident of Mukarian, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, Showkat Ali (JBC Helper), a resident of Chandigarh, 39-year-old Rakesh Kumar (CAT Operator), son of Sita Ram of Kahanpur, tehsil Doulatpur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, 47-year-old Des Raj (Concrete Pump Operator), son of Amar Nath of Naja Saroor, Thathri, district Kishtwar, Irfan Latief (helper with contractor Abid Magray), son of Abdul Latief of Upper Thathri, Mohammad Rafi, son of Hemia Gujjar of Dunidu Hathra, district Doda and Davinder Kumar of Jugano, district Udhampur.
The injured were identified as Omkar Singh (40), son of Faqir Chand of Chill, Tehsil Kashtigarh, Mohammad Yusuf Baig (37), son of Bashir Ahmad of Chareel, Banihal, Afzal Naik (20), son of Anayat Hussain, a resident of Housing Colony, district Udhumpur and Rayees Ahmad (23), son of Abdul Lateef of Lambar, tehsil Banihal.
“A case under Section 1/16 under Sections 304 RPC has been registered at Chanderkote police station”, a senior police officer said, adding that it appears that the fire erupted due to short circuit, but exact reason can be ascertained after investigation completes.
He added that the barracks, which got gutted, were constructed of fiber due to which the fire got erupted speedily. Prompt action by the police and other agencies saved the fire from spreading to the other barracks thus saving the lives of over 100 persons.
However, DC Ramban Bashir Ahmed Dar gave Rs 50,000 each to the kin of the deceased on the spot.
Meanwhile, Governor NN Vohra has expressed grief over the loss of lives in this fire incident. In a condolence message, the Governor has conveyed his sympathies to the members of the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls. He wished speedy recovery to those injured in this accident.
Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, also expressed grief over the tragic death of 10 construction workers. In his condolence message, Mufti Sayeed conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family members in their hour of grief. He also prayed for peace to the departed souls and wished speedy recovery to the injured persons. Chief Minister also directed the District Development Commissioner (DDC), Ramban, to provide relief to the bereaved families and ensure best possible treatment to those injured in the fire incident.
Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh has also expressed shock over the tragic incident and conveyed his heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery to those injured in the blaze.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Chief Minister of J&K Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed profound sorrow and grief on the tragic and awful death of 10 construction workers. Conveying his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, Azad said “My heart goes out to those who have lost their nears and dears in fire incident”. He demanded adequate compensation to the relatives of the deceased and Government should pay proper attention towards the working condition of the workers engaged in the infrastructure projects taken up by the Government.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh has expressed profound grief over the tragic death of 10 labourers. In his condolence message, Deputy Chief Minister has conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls. Dr Singh wished speedy recovery to those injured in the blaze.
Member Parliament (MP) and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti, has condoled the death of 10 labourers in this fire incident. In her condolence message, she conveyed her sympathies to the bereaved family members and prayed to Almighty to give them courage to bear this huge loss. She also prayed for peace to the departed souls and wished speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.
MLA Ramban Neelam Langeh also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the fire incident and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families.
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