JAMMU: In a heart-wrenching incident, seven persons including two from Jharkhand were killed and three others critically injured after a vehicle ferrying workers of Pakal Dul power project rolled down a hill in Kishtwar district on Wednesday.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Union minister Jitendra Singh, and leaders from almost all political parties expressed their grief over the accident.
The police have denied any terror link to the accident, as claimed by the terror outfit PAFF, even as the authorities on late Wednesday announced compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured.
The accident occurred near Dangduru power project site in remote Dacchan area around 8.35 am, said Deputy Commissioner Devansh Yadav.
“Amid heavy rains in the area, a cruiser vehicle of Pakal Dul Project with 10 people on board rolled down into the gorge near Dangduru village today morning. Seven people lost their lives and three others were injured,” he said, adding that the injured were admitted to a hospital where they are undergoing treatment.
According to the officials, the driver of the vehicle lost control while negotiating a blind curve and drove down the hill.
The vehicle turned into an iron mangle after falling down several hundred feet before coming to halt, they said, adding six persons were found dead on-the-spot, while one more succumbed while on way to hospital.
Victims were identified as Itwa Singh and Rahul Kumar of Jharkhand, Sudesh Singh of Kastigarh, Akhter Hussain of Dangduru, Abdul Rashid of Banjwar, Mubashir Ahmad of Doda, and Karan Kumar of Karur.
The injured – Ravi Giri of Bihar, Mohd Gareeb of Ramban, and Varun Sharma of Kishtwar were admitted in Kishtwar district hospital, the officials said.
The police have refuted the claim of militant outfit PAFF which claimed responsibility for a road accident of a vehicle.
“A fake news circulating on social media by a disruptive illegal organisation claiming responsibility for the accident of a vehicle at Dangdooru on 24-05-2023 is baseless and unfounded. It is a road accident which occurred near the under power project where the driver of vehicle lost his control on a sharp curve, in which the vehicle rolled down, resulting in the death of seven people and injuries to three persons who were evacuated for medical treatment. The statement of PAFF is refuted and the general public is requested not to pay heed to any of the rumour spread by such disruptive organisations. Anyone found involved in spreading the fake news shall be dealt strictly,” said Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Khalil Ahmad Poswal.
Soon after the accident, hundreds of workers staged a protest at the work site demanding the company to compensate the families of the victims and pay for the treatment of the injured.
Devansh Yadav told late Wednesday evening that ex-gratia relief has been sanctioned and
company will provide a job to the next kin of accident victims.
Yadav along with SSP Poswal met families of victims soon after the rescue operation was completed.
The DC handed over interim relief to each family of the victim under Red Cross Fund and consoled the members for the loss.
The DC announced up to Rs 20 lakh compensation to each family under Workers Welfare Fund, besides Rs 2.5 lakh by CVPP, Rs 1 lakh from Road safety Fund and job to one family member of each deceased worker.
Additionally, a sum of Rs 25,000 each was allocated as immediate relief to the families of deceased and injured under the Red Cross and Rs. 75,000 by JP Company for last rites of the deceased, he said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.
“I convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families and wish those injured a speedy recovery. I have instructed the district administration to provide all necessary assistance to the affected persons,” he said.
Former chief ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), Mehbooba Mufti of Peoples Democratic Party, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina, National Conference, Peoples Conference and CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami also expressed grief over the accident and loss of lives.
Earlier, Union Minister Jitendra Singh termed the accident “unfortunate” as he assured all possible help to the affected families.
“Just now spoke to DC #Kishtwar Dr Devansh Yadav about unfortunate road accident at Dangduru Dam site Injured being shifted to district hospital Kishtwar or GMC #Doda as per requirement. All possible help, as required, will be provided,” Singh wrote on twitter.
Senior DPAP leader and former minister G M Saroori visited the injured in the hospital and demanded sterner road safety measures.
