Tourism dept announces probe
Srinagar: The Department of Tourism Kashmir will conduct an inquiry into the tragic raft capsize at Pahalgam in which its employee and a participant drowned in river Lidder after the closure of the events for the day.
An employee Rinku Raja from Udhampur and a participant Sanjna hailing from Reasi died in the incident when they along with other participants took out raft for a joy ride in river Lidder.
The SDRF, police and volunteers managed to rescue other rafters within 15 minutes of the incident, who were shifted to a nearby hospital.
The incident happened after the conclusion of the Rouf Memorial State Rafting Championship events of the day at 4.10 pm. The 3-day event began on June 17, 2019 in which 12 teams from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh participated.
The department has expressed deep regrets over the incident and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, Governor Satya Pal Malik also expressed grief over a raft capsize incident.
He announced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to kin of the dead and directed authorities to ensure best possible treatment for the injured, an official spokesman said.
“The governor prayed for peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families in their hour of grief. He has wished speedy recovery to the injured,” the spokesman said.
Expressing concern over rafting accidents in Lidder stream, the governor issued directions that strict safety measures be taken before indulging in this sport and emphasised the need for allowing only trained manpower in managing all activities related to it.
Two people, including an employee of tourism department, died and six were injured Tuesday when the raft capsized in the gushing waters of Lidder stream.
The incident took place as part of a three-day rafting championship which was being held as a tribute to Rauf Ahmad Dar, a local braveheart who died while rescuing five tourists whose boat had capsized in the stream on May 31.
KV News
