Handwara Accident: Magisterial inquiry ordered, Govt announces Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia for deceased families

Srinagar, Apr 12: In wake of the tragic accident in Handwara, the government on Saturday announced ex-gratia relief to the victims’ families while as a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to probe the circumstances surroundings the fatal incident.

Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, said the tragedy was a personal loss, citing that the victims were from his neighbourhood. “Kupwara has been left behind in the health sector, and we are working to change that,” he said, stressing that efforts are underway to ensure patients don’t have to be shifted to Srinagar for specialised care.

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 enroute to a picnic overturned, leading to a major accident, resulting in death of two students and left 22 others injured—