2nd major accident in 24 hrs, administration unmoved
Ajay Raina
JAMMU, Nov 13: In another tragic accident, four persons including a teenage girl were killed and five others injured when the overloaded Eeco Van they were travelling in skidded off the road and rolled down into a deep gorge near Sarthal Temple in district Kishtwar today.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK17-6479 was on its way from Palmar to Sarthal, when the driver lost control over the vehicle and it landed into deep gorge near Sarthal Temple, resulting into on the spot death of four persons including a teenage girl and injuries to 5 others.
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After getting information, police team rushed to the spot and started rescue operation with the help of locals.
All the injured persons were shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar, from where two critically injured people were airlifted and one shifted by ambulance to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Jammu for specialized treatment.
The condition of two injured persons undergoing treatment in District Hospital Kishtwar was stated to be out of danger, when last reports came in.
The deceased were identified as Samita Devi (18), daughter of Jia Lal of Fagwad Drab Sarthal, Girdhari Lal (48), son of Naib Chand of Palmar, Munshi Ram (50), son of Jodh Ram of Jodha Nagar Palmar and Sanjay Kumar (20), son of Bhagat Ram of Sarthal.
The injured were identified as Tara Chand (50), son of Manak Chand of Jodha Nagar Palmar, Akshay Kumar (20), son of Sajan Kumar of Sarkoot, district Kishtwar, Sanjay Kumar (20), son of Krishan Lal of Palmar, Ajeet Kumar (21), son of Shadi Lal of Trigam and Kuldeep Kumar (42), son of Ved Raj of Palmar.
“The vehicle having seating capacity for around 7 persons including driver was actually carrying 9 passengers in blatant violation of the rules”, police sources said, adding that the driver preferred to put the lives of all the passengers to the grave risk without fearing any action from the authorities.
“It is also assumed that the driver was driving the overloaded vehicle in rash and negligent manner which could be the reason behind the accident. The exact reason behind the accident could be ascertained after completion of investigation”, police sources stated.
“Within span of 24 hours, this is the second major accident, but the administration remained unmoved to check the overloading by the passenger vehicles on the hilly terrain of Doda and Kishtwar districts. It depicts that the administration is least bothered about the loss of lives in the accidents”, sources said, adding that strict measures are to be taken to check the overloading in hilly areas by the passenger vehicles.
A case under relevant Sections has been registered in this regard at Kishtwar Police Station and investigation initiated to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Meanwhile, District Administration Kishtwar has provided immediate relief of Rs 10,000 each to the family members of the deceased and Rs 5,000 each to the injured.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kishtwar informed that all the injured were shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar for necessary treatment and 3 critically injured persons have been airlifted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Jammu through chopper for specialized treatment.
DC directed the health authorities to take care of the injured persons and provide necessary treatment. He assured that every possible help would be extended to them from district administration for their early recovery.
This is the second such incident in 24 hours as 16 people, including five women and four children, were killed yesterday when an overloaded passenger vehicle had skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge near Khellani in Doda district on Batote-Kishtwar highway.