JAMMU: Six officials from the Transport Department of Jammu and Kashmir have been suspended following a tragic bus accident that resulted in the deaths of 22 people and left 64 others injured. The accident occurred on Thursday when a bus carrying 86 devotees from Haryana’s Kurukshetra to the Shiv Khori shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district skidded off the Jammu-Poonch highway and plunged into a 150-foot gorge.
Incident Details
The bus driver lost control while negotiating a blind curve at Tungi Morh in the Chowki Chora area. The accident is believed to have been caused by the challenging terrain and possibly by the driver’s attempt to avoid a speeding car approaching from the opposite direction. Some passengers have also blamed the driver for overloading the vehicle, which may have contributed to the loss of control.
Immediate Actions
Transport Department Secretary Niraj Kumar ordered the suspensions and an investigation following a high-level meeting chaired by Principal Secretary of the Home Department Chandraker Bharti. The suspended officials include:
- Ranjeev Bhasin, Motor Vehicle Inspector
- Sumit Magotra, Junior Assistant
- Ashwani Kumar, Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS)
- Aman Kumar, MTS
- Keshav Singh, MTS
- Rakesh Kumar, MTS
Investigation and Inquiry
An inquiry into the conduct and performance of the suspended officials will be led by Additional Secretary (Technical) Paramvir Singh. The inquiry report, with recommendations, is expected within a week. In the meantime, the suspended officials have been attached to the office of the Transport Commissioner in Jammu.
A magisterial inquiry into the accident has already been initiated by the Jammu District Magistrate, with a report expected within seven days. The district administration is closely monitoring the treatment of the injured at the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital.
Support for Victims
The Jammu administration has set up a 24-hour helpline to provide information and assistance to the relatives of the victims. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
Historical Context
This accident is the deadliest in the region since November 15, 2023, when a similar incident in Doda district resulted in 39 deaths and 19 injuries after a bus skidded off the road and fell into a 300-foot gorge.
The suspension of the six transport officials underscores the gravity of the situation and the authorities’ commitment to addressing the underlying issues that led to the tragic accident. The ongoing investigations and inquiries aim to ensure accountability and prevent future incidents of this nature.
