36 pilgrims injured after 5 Amarnath convoy buses collide in Ramban
At least 36 Amarnath pilgrims, hailing from different states, suffered minor injuries when five buses slammed into each other in Ramban district of Jammu on Saturday, officials said.
The buses were part of a convoy headed for the Pahalgam base camp in south Kashmir from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar. All the injured persons rejoined the yatra after receiving treatment at the Ramban district hospital.
The accident took place near Chanderkote, along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, at around 8 am due to the failure of the brakes of one of the buses in the convoy, the officials said.
Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan said the last vehicle of the Pahalgam convoy lost control and hit stranded vehicles at the Chanderkote Langer site, damaging four vehicles and causing minor injuries to 36 pilgrims. He said the government officials already present at the site rushed the injured to the district hospital.
Several senior police officers visited the hospital to monitor the treatment of the injured and directed the chief medical officer to ensure the best care. “The yatris were later shifted to other vehicles for their onward journey,” the deputy commissioner said.
Ramban Medical Superintendent Sudarshan Singh Katoch said 10 of the injured pilgrims were discharged after being administered first aid and the rest after the conduct of necessary tests. “The district administration arranged special vehicles for their onward journey to Pahalgam after they expressed their desire to continue the pilgrimage,” he said.
The convoy left for its destination early in the morning after the damaged buses were replaced, the officials said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, Kulbir Singh, said prima facie, the incident was apparently caused due to brake failure. He said after the last bus hit the stationary convoy, “it triggered a chain reaction and in the process, four buses were hit.”
Meanwhile, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) spokesperson said the injured pilgrims hailed from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Along with the Ramban district administration, the mobile medical team of the 84 Battalion of the CRPF rushed to the spot, provided immediate medical attention and helped in the evacuation of the injured pilgrims, he said.
L-G Sinha issues directives on pilgrims’ safety
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday directed the concerned officials to implement comprehensive safety measures for vehicles transporting pilgrims undertaking the Yatra.
“By the blessings of Lord Shiva, all the devotees are safe. Our priority is the safety of all pilgrims,” said Sinha in a statement.
He said directions have been issued to the concerned officials to implement comprehensive safety measures “for vehicles of pilgrims undertaking the Amarnath Yatra and ensure safety checks at all key locations and uninterrupted availability of food and medicines along the Yatra route.”
The L-G spoke to Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan to ensure all necessary assistance was provided to the injured pilgrims.
He had asked the senior officials to remain on alert and ensure all necessary arrangements for a hassle-free journey for pilgrims. The Lieutenant Governor applauded the swift response of the district administration and health officials, the statement added.
J & K