The mortal remains of the 22 pilgrims killed in the fatal accident near Tungi Morh in the Akhnoor subdivision of Jammu on Thursday will be dispatched to their native places on Saturday after completing necessary medico-legal formalities. Several close relatives of the pilgrims also arrived here in Jammu from Aligarh and Hathras to look after their loved ones admitted to the Government Medical College hospital, Jammu. 72 pilgrims injured in the accident were undergoing treatment in the hospital.
Meanwhile, the UT administration on Friday suspended six transport department employees for alleged dereliction of duty.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday when the bus carrying 94 devotees towards the Shiv Khori shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district skidded off the Jammu-Poonch highway and plunged into a 150-foot gorge. The driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a blind curve at the Tungi morh in the Chowki Chora area.
Transport Department Secretary Niraj Kumar ordered the suspensions and a probe after Principal Secretary of the Home Department Chandraker Bharti chaired a high-level meeting.
“Pending enquiry into the conduct and dereliction of duties, officials posted in the Regional Transport Office in Kathua (Lakhanpur) are placed under suspension with immediate effect and are attached in the office of Transport Commissioner, Jammu,” Kumar said in an order.
The suspended officials are Ranjeev Bhasin (motor vehicle inspector), Sumit Magotra (junior assistant) and multi-tasking staff (MTS) members Ashwani Kumar, Aman Kumar, Keshav Singh and Rakesh Kumar.
An inquiry into the conduct and performance of the suspended officials will be led by Additional Secretary (Technical) Paramvir Singh, who will submit a report with recommendations within a week, Kumar said.
The Jammu district magistrate has already initiated a magisterial inquiry into the incident and the report is expected within seven days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thursday announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia/relief in favour of the kin of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Expressing shock over the Akhnoor bus accident Modi said, ” Anguished by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in Akhnoor.My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon.”
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs in favour of the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the tragic bus accident in Akhnoor.
