Udhampur bus accident: CM Omar assures action
Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a road accident in Udhampur district and assured that action would be taken against those found responsible after ascertaining the cause of the incident.
A passenger bus rolled down a hillside on Ramnagar-Udhampur road in the district on Monday, leaving 21 people dead and 29 others injured. The bus crushed an auto-rickshaw before landing upside down on the road below.
“It will be ascertained why this incident happened, where negligence occurred, and if any action needs to be taken, we will take it,” Abdullah told reporters.
“I express deep sorrow on my behalf and on behalf of my colleagues. We extend our condolences and share the grief and pain of those affected,” he said.
In a condolence message earlier, the chief minister extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
He assured that the government stands firmly with the victims and their families in this hour of grief and that all necessary assistance is being provided to ensure proper medical care and support.
The Chief Minister’s Office is in constant touch with the Government Medical College Udhampur, where the injured are undergoing treatment. The district administration has been directed to expedite rescue and relief operations, officials said.
Instructions have also been issued to the ministers concerned to ensure all required assistance to the affected, they said.
The CM also announced immediate relief from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for victims of the Udhampur road accident.
An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, ₹1 lakh to those seriously injured, and ₹25,000 to persons who sustained minor injuries in the accident.
The Chief Minister said that no amount of financial assistance can compensate for the irreparable loss of lives in the tragic incident, but the relief is being extended as an immediate measure to support the affected families.
