Labourer dies after coming under wooden log in Bandipora

Bandipora, Oct 22: A 38-year-old labourer who worked with the Forest Department died on Tuesday after being crushed by a log in the forest area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district.

He was identified as Shabir Ahmad Chara, son of Gulam Ahmad from Arin-Dardpora village in the district.

Officials said Shabir worked as a hired labourer for the forest department and died immediately while working in the Kudhara forest compartment number 120 when a wooden log fell on him.

The officials at Bandipora hospital declared him dead on arrival. With his death, Shabir leaves behind a devastated family, including his five children, one of whom is specially disabled, with no one to care for their needs.

Bashir Ahmad, his cousin, said Shabir had moved to Arin village from his native uphill Gabpathri, Dardpora hamlet five years ago, after he constructed a house there.

"He would go with department officials to work in the Kudhara forests where he died," Bilal said, adding, "He has five children—three boys and two girls, all young. One child is disabled."

"Our appeal and request to the department is to do justice for him and his family, as he was their sole bread winner," he said, adding, "His death has left his family vulnerable, which is concerning."

Bilal also mentioned that other labourers working with Shabir reported that a log slipped and crushed him while they were loading it onto a vehicle.

Notably, the incident highlights the acute shortage of protective gear in the department.

Insiders have repeatedly revealed that the forest department lacks basic safety equipment for its employees.

"When the department doesn't have enough basic equipment to tackle forest fires, how can they provide safety gear for labourers they hire from outside?" one official noted.