LG, CM grieved
Srinagar, Aug 15: Five persons were killed after a Scorpio vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into the Chenab River in the Dachhan area of Kishtwar district on Saturday, officials said.
The accident occurred at around 10:30 am at Yaivan near Tender Nallah in Dachhan when the Scorpio vehicle bearing registration number HR29AG-0648 rolled down a deep gorge before falling into the river.
Officials said all five occupants of the vehicle died on the spot. The identities of the deceased had not been disclosed till the filing of this report.
Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, said he spoke to Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving information about the accident.
“Spoke to DC Kishtwar, Sh. Pankaj Kumar Sharma, after receiving the report of a road accident in the Dachhan area, involving a Scorpio vehicle which rolled down into a deep gorge at Yaivan. Unfortunately, all the five passengers travelling in the vehicle lost their lives on the spot. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families,” the minister said in a post on X.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
In a condolence message, the Lieutenant Governor said he was pained by the loss of five lives in the tragic road accident in Dachhan. He extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and said he had directed the district administration and senior officials to ensure immediate assistance to those affected.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condoled the deaths, describing the incident as a tragic accident.
In his message, the Chief Minister said he was deeply pained by the loss of five precious lives and expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families. He prayed for peace to the departed souls and strength to the families to bear the irreparable loss.
Omar also directed the District Administration Kishtwar and senior officials to ensure immediate assistance and all necessary support to those affected by the accident.
The hilly districts of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch have witnessed frequent fatal road accidents over the years. Experts attribute such incidents to poor road conditions, over-speeding, overloading and rash or negligent driving.
Authorities have intensified enforcement measures, with traffic officials conducting regular checks against traffic violations. The transport department has also been enforcing penalties against offences including driving without licences, rash driving and other violations. Measures such as strict action against stunt biking and mandatory helmet use for two-wheeler riders have also been introduced to improve road safety.
