Two students of Government Degree College, Sogam, who set out for an excursion, died early Saturday morning while 21 others were left injured after their college bus turned turtle near Vodhpora, Handwara, in the North Kashmir district of Kupwara.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and also announced an exgratia of Rs 1 lakh for each of the deceased.
The deceased students have been identified as Asiya Rashid and Mymoona Ali.
A group of 23 students from GDC, Sogam (4th and 5th semester) had set out for a picnic in two different buses from the college campus around 6.30 am.
The tragic accident took place around 8.30 am. The academic activities in the college campus were suspended as senior staff members and others rushed to the accident site and hospital to ensure speedy treatment of the injured students.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.
“The loss of two young promising students from GDC Sogam in the tragic accident near Handwara is a tragedy that weighs heavily on all of us. My deepest condolences to their families in this hour of grief. Prayers for the swift recovery of the injured,” the CM’s office said on X.
Abdullah said the government was closely monitoring the situation and ensuring all necessary assistance.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed deep anguish over the accident. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed to the almighty to give the bereaved families strength to bear the loss.
“The news of the death of two young students in the Handwara college bus accident is extremely heartbreaking.”
“In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved family members. Praying for the early recovery of the injured,” Sinha said on X.
Nasir Aslam Wani, an advisor to the chief minister, and Jammu and Kashmir Minister Javed Dar visited the injured at Government Medical College Hospital, Handwara.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Wani said the chief minister has sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh each for the families of each of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for those severely injured and Rs 25,000 for the other victims of the accident.
A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered into the circumstances that led to the accident, he added.
Handwara MLA Sajad Lone visited the Government Medical College Hospital, Handwara, to meet the injured students.
“My thanks to the doctors and the paramedics who have been working
tirelessly. Thankfully all the students admitted to GMC Handwara at the moment, are safe. My prayers for their recovery,” Lone said on X.