LG directs Deptts to carry out road safety audit, rectification measures
*Rash, negligent driving reason behind accident
Ajay Raina
RAMBAN, June 5: In a tragic accident, five persons including Indian Reserve Police (IRP) Follower and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Head Constable were killed and another was critically injured when the Innova car they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into 300-meter deep Bisleri nallah near Digdol along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway here today.
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The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK02BA-1707 was on its way to Jammu from Srinagar and the accident took place near Digdol when its driver lost control over the vehicle, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban PD Nitya said.
A Defence spokesman said the speedy vehicle hit another car before plunging into the deep gorge around 9:30 am and was first noticed by the Road Opening Party (ROP) of the Territorial Army.
Laying ropes, the troops went down the 90 degree steep slope and located five of the six passengers, the spokesman said, adding three were found dead on the spot and two seriously injured were given first aid before they were evacuated to district hospital Ramban, where they were declared as brought dead, thereby raising the death toll to 5.
Police sources said that the army rescue party was immediately joined by police, CRPF and local volunteers and later one injured person was found entangled in the wreckage of the mangled vehicle and was immediately rescued. The injured person was rushed to the District Hospital Ramban, where he was responding to the treatment, when last reports came in.
The deceased were identified as Garu Ram (driver), son of Hans Raj, a resident of Talab Tillo, District Jammu, Vaneet Kour, daughter of JP Singh of Gupkar Srinagar, Shagun Kumar (Head Constable of 5-SIG Battalion CRPF), a resident of Himachal Pradesh, Mohammad Rafiq, son of Lal-ud-Din Gujjar of Balkoot Uri District Baramulla and Sanjeev Kumar (Follower IRP), son of Rikhi Ram of Pouni District Reasi.
The injured was identified as Ajeet Kumar, posted in IRP 3rd Battalion, son of Kuldeep Kumar, a resident of Billawar in District Kathua.
All the dead bodies have been recovered and shifted to mortuary of District Hospital Ramban for medical and legal formalities, SSP Ramban PD Nitya said, adding that a case under FIR Number 93/2021 under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A IPC has been registered at Police Station Ramban and investigation started to ascertain the reason behind the accident.
However, police sources claimed that rash and negligent driving is the reason behind the accident, but the exact reason could be ascertained after the investigation completes.
In a tweet, MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh said, “Learnt about the tragic road accident in Ramban in which 5 persons lost their lives. Spoken to DC Ramban Mussrat Islam. All possible help being provided to the injured. Further help, whatever required, will also be provided”.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives in this road accident and has directed the concerned departments to carry out road safety audit and rectification measures within a week.
In a tweet, the office of LG J&K quoted Sinha as saying that he has directed the concerned departments to launch road-Safety awareness campaign on such stretches to check accidents caused due to human errors.
“Saddened by the loss of lives in Ramban road accident. My condolences to bereaved families. I have directed the concerned departments to carry out road safety audit and rectification measures within a week,” Office of LG J&K tweeted.
“Concerned departments should also launch road-safety awareness campaign on such stretches to check accidents caused due to human errors,” it tweeted.
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