*Negligent driving leads to accident
Ajay Raina
KATHUA, July 3: Three persons of a marriage party were killed while 32 others received injuries when an overloaded mini-bus turned turtle near Challari in Ramkote, District Kathua, late last night.
However, the attendants of the injured persons got irked due to non-availability of doctors, para-medical staff, electricity supply and ambulance without fuel in the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Ramkote, where the injured persons were shifted first after the accident for basic treatment during night hours.
As per reports, a mini-bus bearing registration number JK14C-6775 carrying marriage party was on its way to Pathwar, Tehsil Majalta, District Udhampur from village Kandhroo near Nagrota Gujjroo in District Kathua, when the driver lost control over the vehicle and it turned turtle near Challari on Dhar Road, falling under the jurisdiction of Billawar police station in District Kathua, resulting into on the spot death of three persons and injuries to 32 others. The accident took place due to negligent driving by the driver.
After getting information, a team from Ramkote police post led by SI Narinder Jasrotia rushed to the spot and started rescue operation along with locals. Tehsildar Ramkote Rahul Basotra also reached the spot and supervised the rescue operation.
All the injured persons were rushed to Primary Health Centre (PHC) Ramkote, from where 14 injured persons were shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Jammu and four to District Hospital Udhampur for advanced treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Ajay Singh (19), son of Sandoor Singh of Neeli, Tehsil Majalta, Hoshiar Singh (21), son of Puran Singh of Sail, Tehsil Majalta and Kuldeep Raj (31), son of Shanker Dass of Karkai, Tehsil Majalta.
The injured have been identified as Pawan Singh (16), son of Parkash Singh of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Sushma Devi (40), wife of Ashok Kumar of Pathwar, Makhan Singh (41), son of Munshi Ram of Bhanoo, Tehsil Majalta, Jodh Raj, son of Tulsi Ram of Jindher RS Pura, Jammu, Mannu Sharma (24), son of Janak Raj of Ratanpur Surara, Tehsil Hiranagar, Kamlesh Devi (30), wife of Jagdish Chander of Balpur, Tehsil Majalta, Sohan Lal (30) S/o Filla Ram of Ramkote, Yashpaul (16), son of Puri Singh of Kasher Ramkote, Subash Singh (35), son of Chattru of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Pushpa Devi (45), wife of Parkash Singh of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Parkash Singh (50), son of Chattroo of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Geeta Devi (50), wife of Puran Singh of Balpur, Tehsil Majalta, Tirath Singh (35), son of Nanak Singh of Bhanoo, Tehsil Majalta, Hans Raj (30), son of Munshi Ram of Pathwar, Tehsil Majalta, Purshotam Singh (15), son of Tanveer Singh of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Karnail Singh (48), son of Ram Chand of Pathwar, Tehsil Majalta, Pankaj Kumar (15), son of Kuldeep Kumar of Bilasour, Tehsil Majalta, Neelam Devi (20), wife of Parkash Singh of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Sonu (21), son of Tanatar Singh of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Vaishno Devi (45), wife of Gian Singh of Nakki, Tehsil Majalta, Gian Singh, son of Bhutti Singh of Nikki, Tehsil Majalta, Neha Devi (17), daughter of Veer Singh of Pathwar, Tehsil Majalta, Lalita Devi (20), daughter of Ashok Kumar of Pathwar, Tehsil Majalta, Vipin Kumar (15), son of Bodh Raj of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Gandarab Singh (38), son of Sarnoo of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Shanker Singh (60), son of Anant Ram of Pathwar, Tehsil Majalta, Parveen Singh (12), son of Ranjeet Singh of Pathwar, Tehsil Majalta, Subash Singh (30), son of Punjab Singh of Pathwar, Tehsil Majalta, Mohit Singh (3), son of Subash Singh of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Shivani Devi (10), daughter of Subash Singh of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta, Kukdeep Singh (28), son of Balak Ram of Jind RS Pura, Jammu, Kulbeer Singh (8), son of Onkar Singh of Palnoo, Tehsil Majalta and Karan Singh (22), son of Gian Singh of Jakhano, Tehsil Majalta.
A case under relevant Sections has been registered at Billawar police station and hunt has been launched to arrest the driver, who managed to escape from the spot after taking benefit of the darkness.
Meanwhile, the relatives accompanying the injured persons alleged that there was no doctor and para medical staff in the PHC, when they shifted the injured persons there. An ISM doctor was called, who treated some of the patients, who had received minor injuries. Inspite of referral to GMCH Jammu and DH Udhampur, there was no option for us to get our injured relatives saved and treated, they added.
“There was no electricity supply in the PHC Ramkote and private generators were arranged, which also failed to work”, they said, adding that the ambulance at PHC Ramkote was without fuel and insurance and ambulances from PHC Billawar and PHC Majalta were arranged by MLA Ramnagar Ranbir Singh Pathania to shift the injured patients to GMCH Jammu and DH Udhampur.
The residents of Ramkote urged the Government to depute full-fledged staff in PHC Ramkote and also upgrade the infrastructure, as this hospital caters to the need of thousands of people residing in Ramkote and surrounding areas.
They also demanded checking of deputed staff in the hospitals and PHCs during night hours and if anyone found absent, strict action should be initiated against him or her.
In a statement issued, MLA Ramnagar Ranbir Singh Pathania made a fervent appeal for implementation of “Road Safety Action Plan” so that precious lives can be saved during road accidents. Pathania also took up the Ramkote accident case with the office of Chief Minister and Chief Secretary and was assured that immediate relief of Rs 1 lakh will be provided to next of kin of the deceased and Rs 10,000 to injured persons.
He asked the GMCH Jammu administration to provide best treatment to injured persons and also provide free medicines vis-à-vis tests like CT Scan, MRI, etc.
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