Ajay Kumar Sadhotra expresses shock, anguish

Jammu, Nov 15 : National Conference Additional General Secretary and Former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today expressed shock, anguish and profound grief over the death of nearly 35 passengers and injuries to several others in a most tragic and unfortunate mishap at Trungal, Assar on Batote-Kishtwar road.

"My heart goes to the families, who lost their dear ones in the shocking accident, “ Sadhotra said in a message while praying for peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery of all the injured.

He sought immediate release of ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased and specialised treatment of the injured at government expenses besides compensation to them.

Seeking probe into the circumstances leading to this tragic accident, especially in the wake of reports of overlapping in the ill-fated passenger vehicle, Sadhotra said this is all the more necessary as the vehicle might have crossed many spots having police bandhobast. The accident speaks volumes about the so-called alertness of those manning the traffic management, especially on highways.

He expressed grave concern over road accidents on the national highway and peripheral road in Jammu and Kashmir, hoping the administration will not remain mute spectator. “An effective road safety mechanism is required to be devised with thrust on enhanced checking, ensuring fitness of vehicles and more importantly establishing trauma hospitals at vulnerable spots on the highways, he added.