KL Report
SRINAGAR
Eid celebrations turned into instant mourning as 10 residents of a remote village were killed in a road accident when they were on their way back home from Boniyar. They had gone for Eid prayers and were returning home when their vehicle met an accident and rolled down into a gorge, about 500 feet from Batinde curve.
Police sources informed Kashmir Life that at least 14 resident of Burnet village in Uri had gone to Boniyar for prayers. They were all traveling in one Sumo (JK 05 B 4420). They had their prayers and returned home. It was on their way back home that driver of the over-crowded vehicle failed to access a steep curve. The driver lost control over the vehicle and it slipped into a gorge. All the 14 were critically injured.
Locals started rescue operations and nine of them were reportedly recovered dead and five others in a critical state. While locals say two were dead in the hospital, police have confirmed ten deaths so far.
The dead have been identified as- Abdul Majeed Geelani and Syed Mushtaq Geelani (Sumo driver) from Batinde, Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, Basheer Ahmad, Jumma Sood, Abdul Qayoom Mir, Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, Mohammad Iqbal Sheikh, Abdul Rasheed Sheikh and Shabir Ahmad Sood from Burnate.
Meanwhile four more were reported to have sustained injures. The injured have been identified as Ali Mohammad Lone, Basharat Ahmad and Ali Mohammad. The accident sent the entire belt into instant mourning.
Condolences are pouring from all sides. In his condolence message to the bereaved families, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has conveyed his grief and sympathy to them. He has also sanctioned ex-gratia relief of Rs one lakh for the deceased and Rs 10,000 for the injured. Omar directed the District Administration and Health Department for providing all possible medicare to the injured. He has prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and early recovery of the injured. Local NC leader Mohammad Shafi has also condoled the deaths of the tragic accident.
