Kupwara: Two students died and 21 others were injured as a college bus turned turtle after the driver lost control of the wheel in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Saturday, officials said.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and also announced an ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh for each of the deceased.
The accident occurred near the Vodhpora area of Handwara when the bus of Government Degree College Sogam was carrying 27 students to a picnic spot, officials said.
One girl was declared ‘brought dead’ by a hospital in Handwara. Two injured students were referred to a hospital here in a critical state, and one of them succumbed to the injuries, they said, adding 20 students were undergoing treatment at the Handwara hospital.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.
“The loss of two young, promising students from GDC Sogam in the tragic accident near Handwara is a tragedy that weighs heavily on all of us. My deepest condolences to their families in this hour of grief. Prayers for the swift recovery of the injured,” the CM’s office said on X.
Abdullah said the government was closely monitoring the situation and ensuring all necessary assistance.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed deep anguish over the accident. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed to the almighty to give the bereaved families strength to bear the loss.
“The news of the death of two young students in the Handwara college bus accident is extremely heartbreaking. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved family members. Praying for the early recovery of the injured,” Sinha said on X.
MLA Handwara and Peoples Conference president, Sajad Gani Lone visited the Government Medical College Hospital, Handwara, to meet the injured students.
“My thanks to the doctors and the paramedics who have been working tirelessly. Thankfully all the students admitted to GMC Handwara at the moment, are safe. My prayers for their recovery. Two students who had been referred to Srinagar have lost their lives. May Allah grant them heaven,” Lone said on X.
Nasir Aslam Wani, advisor to the chief minister, and Minister Javed Dar also visited the injured at Government Medical College Hospital, Handwara.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Wani said the chief minister has sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh each for the families of each of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for those severely injured, and Rs 25,000 for the other victims of the accident.
A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered into the circumstances that led to the accident, he added.
Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today visited Kalaroos and Sogam areas of Kupwara district to express heartfelt condolences to the families of young students who tragically lost their lives in a road accident today morning.
Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani; former Minister, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzaan; Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan; Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr. Jahangir Bakshi; Director Colleges, J&K, Dr. Sheikh Aijaz Bashir and other senior officers of district administration also accompanied the minister, an official press release informed.
It said during the visit, Itoo met the grieving family members of deceased students and expressed deep sorrow over the incident. She assured the families of every possible support from the government during this difficult time.
“This is not just a personal loss for the families but a tragic moment for the entire area. The loss of such promising young lives is deeply painful,” Itoo stated.
The Minister also said that the government has announced ex-gratia relief to the victims’ families, besides a magisterial inquiry has also been ordered to probe this fatal road accident.
She further added that as soon as the news of this tragic accident came, Director SKIMS, Principal GMC Srinagar, Principal GMC Handwara, Director Health Services Kashmir and CMO Kupwara were alerted by the government to ensure best possible treatment for the injured students. She highlighted that the administrators of all hospitals receiving the injured students were directed to personally monitor the injured students at their respective facilities to ensure their effective treatment.
The Minister, while expressing deep grief over the lives of those young students, said that due to prompt response of medical authorities to this tragic incident, several lives have been saved and injured students were swiftly shifted to required medical facilities for advanced treatment.
Later, the Minister also visited GMC Handwara and enquired about the well being of the students.
During the visit, she met the injured students as well as their attendants and assured them all possible assistance and support from the government.
Interacting with the medical staff during the visit, she asked the Medical Superintendent and other staff to prioritize the medical care of the injured students and offer all necessary support to the victims and their families. She further directed the Medical Superintendent to personally monitor the treatment facilities of the injured students and keep sufficient staff available round the clock for their effective treatment.
On the occasion, the Medical Superintendent informed the minister that most of the injured students have been discharged from the hospital after proper medical treatment and currently three students are undergoing treatment at GMC Handwara, one each at SMHS Hospital and SKIMS Srinagar.
