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| 23 feared dead as overloaded minibus plunges into Chenab at dusk | | |
SUMIT SHARMA
Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 23: At least 23 commuters were feared dead after an overloaded minibus in which they were travelling skidded off the road and fell into river Chenab at Hast near Kandni in Kishtwar this evening. Governor NN Vohra and chief minister Omar Abdullah have expressed
grief over the loss of human lives in the incident. The ill-fated minibus (JK06/0774) was on its way from Thathri to Kishtwar town. Against the capacity of 18, it carried 24 commuters, including women and children. Two minor boys, who were sitting on the rooftop, survived with minor brusies. Police sources said the minibus skidded off the road and plunged into Chenab at about 6.28 pm after its driver failed to negotiate a curve. Before it fell into Chenab, two boys -- Vinod and Kuldip -- who had to sit on the rooftop in the absence of space inside the vehicle, jumped and survived with minor brusies, the sources added. There were a total of 25 persons in the minibus, including driver Shoukat and conductor Zakir.
Sources said Shoukat and Zakir, who was also the owner of the minibus, were also feared dead along with 21 commuters. Though a rescue operation was launched by police and locals soon
after the tragedy struck, none of the bodies had been fished out till late tonight. Incidentally, the vehicle was seized by traffic police few days back on the charges of violation of traffic norms. DSP (traffic) Amit Gupta said, "The minibus was seized on June 28 last as its driver had indulged in repeated violation of the traffic norms," he added.
The DSP said when Shoukat's licence was recommended for cancellation, locals had opposed the traffic police move and held a demosntration. Expressing grief over the incident, Vohra prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls. Omar too expressed grief over the loss of human lives and directed the administration to immediately carry out rescue and relief operation. Bhaderwah MLA Mohammad Sharief Niaz and Kishtwar MLA Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo too have expressed shock over the incident. All Jammu and Kashmir Backward Classes observed a 2-minute silence in the honour of the departed souls.
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