In a devastating incident on Friday, a total of ten individuals lost their lives when an SUV skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and plummeted into a gorge in Ramban district. The vehicle, identified as a Tavera, was en route from Srinagar to Jammu when the accident occurred at around 1:15 am in the Battery Cheshma area of the district.
According to officials, among the casualties were eight individuals from Bihar and one from Uttar Pradesh, along with the driver who hailed from Jammu. The deceased from Bihar’s West Champaran were identified as Raju Kumar, Avadhesh Bin, Belas Bin, Indrajit Bin, Bipin Mukhiya, Raj Kumar Bin, Hari Bin, and Rajan Mukhiya. Sandeep from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh was also among those who lost their lives in the tragic accident.
The operation to retrieve the bodies was a challenging task conducted amidst heavy rains in the area. It involved the coordinated efforts of police and State Disaster Response Force personnel. Despite the adverse weather conditions, the operation concluded successfully by approximately 1:30 pm.
Upon learning about the accident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow and extended condolences to the families of the victims. The Prime Minister’s Office announced that a sum of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased individual as ex-gratia.
President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families, expressing deep sadness over the loss of lives in the tragic road accident. Similarly, Union Minister and Udhampur MP Jitendra Singh, along with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, offered their heartfelt condolences to the affected families.
The accident prompted reactions from various political leaders in Kashmir as well. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah urged the administration to ensure adequate relief and compensation for the affected families. Meanwhile, other leaders including Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Altaf Bukhari, Sajad Lone, and M Y Tarigami also expressed their condolences and solidarity with the families of the deceased.
The incident underscores the importance of road safety measures, and it has highlighted the need for continued efforts to improve infrastructure and ensure the safety of commuters on vital transportation routes like the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
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