Magisterial Probe Ordered in Handwara Accident; Govt Announces Rs 1 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Victims’ Families
Injured to Receive Up to Rs 50,000; Sopore-Kulangam Road to Be Expanded to Four Lanes: Advisor to CM
Srinagar, Apr 12: Following the tragic accident in Handwara, the government has announced ex gratia compensation for the victims’ families. Additionally, a magisterial inquiry has been initiated to investigate the circumstances leading to the fatal incident.
Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, told Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the incident felt like a personal loss, as the victims belonged to his own neighbourhood. He acknowledged that Kupwara has lagged behind in the healthcare sector and emphasised that steps are being taken to improve local facilities so that patients won’t need to travel to Srinagar for specialised treatment.
Wani, who visited the injured at Government Medical College, announced that families of the deceased will receive Rs 1 lakh each, while those with severe injuries will be given Rs 50,000. An amount of Rs 25,000 will be provided to other injured individuals, all from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
He assured that the health infrastructure in the region will be overhauled comprehensively. “Our aim is to build such facilities locally that no one needs to be shifted out for treatment,” he added.
Responding to queries on road infrastructure, Wani said that the government is actively working on four-laning projects, including Kulangam and the Sopore-Kulangam stretch.
He also confirmed that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to probe the circumstances surrounding the accident. “Preliminary findings will be shared in due course,” he said.
Notably, a tragic accident occurred this morning at Vodhpora Handwara when a bus carrying college students route to a picnic overturned, leading to a major accident, resulting in death of two students and left 22 others injured— (KNO)
