Safety of pilgrims our priority: LG
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 5: At least 36 Amarnath pilgrims, hailing from different States, suffered minor injuries when five buses, which were part of a convoy headed for Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp from Bhagwati Nagar, slammed into each other in Ramban district this morning.
All the injured persons rejoined the yatra after receiving treatment at the Ramban district hospital.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
The accident took place near Chanderkote, along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, at around 8 am due to the failure of the brakes of one of the buses in the convoy, as a result of which the driver lost control leading to collision of the vehicles.
Click here to watch video
In a statement, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said there was a minor accident at Chanderkote when a Pahalgam-bound vehicle collided with other stationary vehicles due to brake failure. He said 36 pilgrims received minor injuries in the incident. They were discharged after preliminary treatment and resumed the journey towards the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, the statement said.
“By the blessings of Lord Shiva, all the devotees are safe,” the LG said.
“Our priority is the safety of all pilgrims. Directed the officials concerned to implement comprehensive safety measures for vehicles of pilgrims undertaking Amarnath Yatra and ensure safety checks at all key locations and uninterrupted availability of food and medicines at Yatra route,” he added.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor spoke to Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan and asked them to provide all necessary assistance to the injured pilgrims.
Sinha had asked senior officials to remain on alert and ensure all necessary arrangements for a hassle-free journey of the pilgrims.
The LG applauded the swift response of the district administration and Health officials.
Majority of the injured belonged to Madhya Pradesh while rest hailed from Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan.
Earlier, the Ramban Deputy Commissioner said the last vehicle of the Pahalgam convoy lost control and hit stranded vehicles at the Chanderkote Langer site, damaging four vehicles and causing minor injuries to 36 pilgrims.
He said the Government officials already present at the site rushed the injured to the district hospital.
Several senior police officers visited the hospital to monitor the treatment of the injured and directed the Chief Medical Officer to ensure the best care.
“The yatris were later shifted to other vehicles for their onward journey,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
Health authorities said 10 of the injured pilgrims were discharged after being administered first aid and the rest after the conduct of necessary tests.
“The district administration arranged special vehicles for their onward journey to Pahalgam after they expressed their desire to continue the pilgrimage,” he said.
The convoy left for its destination early in the morning after the damaged buses were replaced, the officials said.
Along with the Ramban district administration, the mobile medical team of the 84 Battalion of the CRPF rushed to the spot, provided immediate medical attention and helped in the evacuation of the injured pilgrims.
Mobile medical team of 84 CRPF battalion which joined the operation to help injured pilgrims was led by Dr Anu Gorke, SMO. Commandant N Ranbir Singh supervised the rescue operations at the accident site.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
