Three women, driver and girl among nine killed, LG announces Rs 5 lakhs ex-gratia to NoKs of deceased
Mohammad Shafi Uri And Dr Sajjad Shafi Uri expresses profound grief over the loss of 9 lives the accident.
Reyaz Rashid
Baramulla, Uri: In a devastating and tragic road mishap, at least nine people lost their lives and six others sustained critical injuries when overloaded Sumo vehicle skidded off the road and rolled down 300 meters at Bujthalan Tathmulla area of Boniyar Uri north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday afternoon.
Witnesses said that a passenger vehicle Sumo bearing No JK05D 0946 on way to Bujthalan village skidded off the snow-slippery road and fell into a 200-ft deep gorge after driver loss control over wheels at Bujthalan Thutmulla resulting in the on spot death of seven persons and grievous injuries to many others.
A police official said that immediate rescue operation was launched by locals and police at the site of the accident and injured where rushed to Primary Health Center Boniyar for treatment where from critically injured were shifted to Associated Hospital of GMC Baramulla for treatment.Locals said alleged that they had to wait for ambulances for hours to fetch their injured and dead bodies to hospital.“Amid snowfall and rains, we have to struggle and face tough time to get the bodies on road. It was indeed uphill task as they vehicle rolled down deep ravine,” said Nazir Ahmad,a local while women and relatives were wailing and raising hue and cry.Amid chaotic scenes, Army and police joined by locals retrieved the bodies and injured to road wherefrom ambulances and locals vehicles rushed them to hospital Block Medical Officer Boniyar Uri, Dr. Khursheed Ahmad Khan told Kashmir Images that that seven bodies of deceased were received at Primary Health Center, while the eight critically injured were immediately referred to Associated Hospital Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla for further treatment in which condition of three of the injured was critical.Another police official said that overloading and slippery road conditions exacerbated by recent snowfall were cited as a likely contributing factor to the tragic accident as the vehicle was carrying 15 passengers.As the news spread like wildfire, ambulances swiftly headed towards Boniyar. Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, accompanied by ADC Zahoor Ahmed, promptly visited GMC Baramulla to coordinate health facilities. Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi, the Medical Superintendent, was directed to ensure the immediate treatment of the injured individuals.Medical Superintendent Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi said that Associated Hospital GMC Baramulla received eight injured persons in which one Abdul Razak son of Abdul Rehman succumbed his to injuries at GMC Baramulla, raising the death toll to eight while as two were referred to SKIMS Soura.Talking to Kashmir Images that Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi said among the two referred critically injured driver Shabir Ahmad also succumbed to his injured at SKIMS taking death toll nine.RTO Kashmir Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari while expressing shock and condolences told Kashmir Images aid that he personally inspected the documentation of the ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK05D 0946 involved in the accident which are complete. “I have verified that the documents are complete in all respects,” he affirmed.However, the RTO emphasized that action would be taken in accordance with the law regarding overloading and authorities are committed to investigating the incident thoroughly and ensuring accountability for any violations that may have contributed to the tragedy.RTO Kashmir Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari disclosed that the ill-fated vehicle involved in the tragic Uri accident had already been fined twice for overloading in the month of January.As the entire broader sub-division Uri mourns the loss of lives, efforts are underway to provide transport facilities to victim families to take dead bodies back home amid unfavorable weather conditions.Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in a post on X said that expressed grief over the loss of lives in twin accidents.“Deeply saddened by the tragic accidents in Baramulla & Kishtwar. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Office of LG J&K, wrote.“An ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the tragedies. The injured would be given Rs. 1 lakh. Directed the district administrations to provide all possible assistance to the families expeditiously,” the post added.
Ex parliament member And senior leader of JKNC Mohammad Shafi Uri and JKNC District President Baramulla Dr Sajjad Shafi Uri expressed their profound grief over the loss of 9 lives in the tragic accident at Bujuthala, Boniyar.Mohd Shafi Uri and Dr Sajjad Shafi Uri while expressing their grief over the tragic accident said, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the swift recovery of the injured persons.”They urged the district administration to promptly provide ex gratia relief to the families of the deceased and ensure specialized treatment for the injured to expedite their recovery.