Mainstream, separatists grieved over loss of lives in Kishtwar accident
JAMMU: Mainstream political parties as well as the separatists in Kashmir Monday expressed grief over loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Kishtwar.
Over thirty people were killed and scores injured after a mini bus fell into a gorge at Sirgwari area of Kishtwar district around 7:30 am on Monday.
In a statement issued Monday, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the death of the passengers in the tragic road accident.
“My heart goes to all those who have lost their dear ones in the accident”, Dr Farooq Abdullah said in a message and wished early recovery to the injured.
In a separate message, Omar also expressed grief over the deaths and prayed for early recovery of the injured.
Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss.
National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammed Sagar, Provincial President Jammu Devender Singh Rana and other NC leaders have also expressed grief over the deaths.
They prayed for peace to the departed souls and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and President Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti also expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic road accident.
Mehbooba termed the incident excruciating and expressed condolences with the families of those who have lost their dear ones. She also wished speedy recovery to those who have been injured in the accident.
The PDP President termed the frequent occurrence of fatal road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir a deeply disturbing trend while asking the government to ensure that proper road safety measures are being taken to avoid loss of precious human lives.
While the state was yet to come out of the grief inflicted by Peer Ki Gali accident in which 11 students were killed, Mehbooba said Monday’s gruesome Kishtwar episode was enough to make the government ponder over why the road links in the state especially in hilly areas are becoming the death traps for common masses with each passing day.
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President G A Mir also expressed sorrow and anguish over the death of the passengers in the accident and conveyed deepest condolences to bereaved families.
Mir said that the regular road accidents in Chenab valley and elsewhere in J&K was a matter of serious concern and asked the authorities dealing with road transport to take urgent and effective measures to ensure safety of passengers in the state.
He also expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for their courage to bear the irreparable loss. Mir prayed for the speedy recovery of injured people.
JKPCC vice president and former MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga also expressed grief and shock over the tragic road accident
Monga said the loss of precious lives was shocking for everyone.
He prayed for peace to the departed souls and courage and fortitude to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss.
He also prayed for the early recovery of those who have been injured in the accident.
The Congress leader also urged the government to provide adequate compensation to the families of those dead and to the injured.
“While no amount of compensation can recoup their loss and heal their wounds, yet the government must come forward to stand with the grieving families,” he said.
AIP President, Er Rasheed also expressed grief and shock over Kishtwar accident.
In a statement, Rasheed said that the tragedy had exposed the tall claims of government about providing connectivity to hilly and remote areas.
He accused the successive governments for doing “nothing to build road infra-structure in remote areas including Karnah, Uri, Chinab valley and Pir Panchal regions, as such frequent accidents take place resulting in loss of lives from Surankote to Kishtwar.
The separatist camp in Kashmir also expressed grief over Monday’s tragic accident in Kishtwar.
Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) Chairman Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai expressed shock and grief over the devastating Kishtwar road accident and said that it is painful to see road accidents happening on an alarming rate.
A spokesman quoted Sehrai saying that it seemed a routine now even as the administration and concern department “is in deep slumber and not taking road and passenger safety measures swiftly”.
Sehrai expressed sympathies and solidarity with the families whose loved ones were killed in a tragic road accident and shared his thoughts and prayers with the bereaved families.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those who are injured.
Expressing grief and sorrow over the tragic road accident, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq extended heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Mirwaiz blamed the dilapidated road conditions, rash driving by drivers and overloading for the steep rise in road accidents across the state.
Taking a dig at the state administration for resorting to “lip servicing and confining itself to expressing condolences only”, Mirwaiz said “It seems there is no check by the administration on rash driving, over speeding, overloading and travel on crucial roads without proper travel permits”.
He said despite tall claims major and crucial roads across the state remain in shambles, as a result of which they become death traps which was highly unfortunate.
Mirwaiz demanded impartial probe into the Kishtwar incident so that reasons that led to the major accident come to fore and those found involved in any lapses are punished to prevent such in incidents in the future.
KV News
