2 students killed, 21 injured as college bus overturns in Kupwara

Two students were killed and 21 others injured after a college bus they were travelling in met with an accident in Kupwara district of Kashmir on Saturday. A total of 27 students from Degree College Sogam were on a picnic when their bus overturned near Vodpora in Handwara.

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One girl was declared ‘brought dead’ at a hospital in Handwara. Two critically injured students were referred to a hospital in Srinagar, where one of them later succumbed to injuries. The remaining 20 students are undergoing treatment at the Handwara hospital.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh for the family of each deceased student.

Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, expressed grief over the accident. She urged Director, SKIMS, Principal, GMC Handwara, Director, Health Services Kashmir, and CMO Kupwara to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured students.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a statement, “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. We are 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 for strength for the bereaved families to bear the loss.

Nasir Aslam Wani, advisor to the chief minister, and Jammu and Kashmir Minister Javed Dar visited the injured at the 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 for each deceased student’s family, Rs 50,000 for those severely injured, and Rs 25,000 for other victims of the accident. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the circumstances leading to the accident, he added.

Handwara MLA Sajad Lone also visited the Government Medical College Hospital, Handwara, to meet the injured students.