Two teenaged boys died and as many have been injured when their automotive rammed right into a stationary truck earlier than hitting a divider, sparking calls from numerous quarters, together with political events, for strict motion underage driving in Kashmir.
Two teenaged boys died and as many have been injured when their automotive rammed right into a stationary truck earlier than hitting a divider at Tengpora on the Srinagar-Baramulla freeway on Thursday. (Representational photograph)
The accident occurred on Thursday at Tengpora on the Srinagar-Baramulla freeway, when the youngsters driving an SUV rammed right into a stationary tipper truck earlier than hitting the divider. The CCTV footage of the incident is being circulated extensively on social media.
The boys, Hamaad and Aseem Sofi, each 17, died whereas two others have been injured, one in every of them critically.
A number of folks, together with leaders, renewed calls from civil society to ban underage driving.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah mentioned “our road sense shows no sign of improving”.
“Heart breaking visuals. This accident claimed previous young lives & has had a devastating impact on their families. My heart goes out to the families of the boys killed in this tragic accident. May Allah grant them place in Jannat,” Abdullah posted on X.
“Our cars get quicker, our roads get better but our road sense shows no sign of improving. Speed thrills but it kills with no remorse. Traffic rules are there for a reason, they keep us safe but only if we follow them,” he added.
Apni Occasion president Altaf Bukhari mentioned the rise in highway accidents, notably these attributable to careless driving, is regarding, and sought a ban on underage driving. “It is heartbreaking to see photographs of the boys who lost their lives in recent accidents in Lawaypora and Tengapora, leaving their families devastated. Authorities must enforce strict measures to prevent reckless driving, stunts, and underage driving,” Bukhari mentioned in a submit on X.
“Strict action against traffic violators, a complete ban on underage driving, and a comprehensive awareness campaign are urgently needed,” he mentioned.
Awami Ittehad Occasion (AIP) chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, whereas expressing condolences, appealed to folks to keep away from giving autos to youngsters. “We lost two young lives in an accident at Tengpora bypass. Dreams were shattered and families left broken. These were students with bright futures but a moment on the road changed everything forever,” Nabi mentioned. “Let’s remember that sometimes, saying no is the greatest act of love. Avoid giving vehicles to teenagers who may not yet understand the weight of responsibility that comes with driving. Let’s prevent more families from facing this unbearable pain. Together, we can keep our children safe. Let their journeys be long and filled with promise, not cut short by preventable tragedies,” he added.
Zeeshan Khan, a Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Companies officer, mentioned the accident is a harsh reminder for folks to be accountable.
“Let’s ensure our children, under 18, are not given access to vehicles. Let parents learn from this and be careful. Prayers for those lost in this devastating incident,” Khan posted on X.
Ayjaz Wani, a consumer on X, requested the visitors police to make sure that now onwards mother and father are arrested in accordance with regulation if minors are seen or captured driving automobiles or bikes throughout Kashmir.
One other social media consumer, Tahir Peerzada, whose son was a pal of one of many youngsters, mentioned “Children are losing their lives on the streets of Srinagar every day due to reckless driving, while enforcement agencies are doing little to control this menace. Let that sink in”.
Peerzada mentioned there are succesful metropolis visitors and police chiefs who might curb this chaos if given the required help and manpower.
Senior superintendent of police (SSP), visitors, Srinagar metropolis, Muzaffar Shah, appealed to folks to not permit entry to a two or three-wheeler to minors. “All four children in the vehicle were studying at a particular school. The important issue is how the parents allowed access to the four-wheeler if the boys are minors? That is the biggest question. Had there been no access, this unfortunate accident would not have happened,” he mentioned.
The SSP mentioned the prime accountability is of fogeys as a result of if the kid is a minor and has no driving licence, he shouldn’t have been given entry to a two or four-wheeler. “The (CCTV) footage shows they were speeding. Had there been no speeding, maybe evasive action by them could have given them a chance, and saved them,” Shah mentioned. “We have been seizing the vehicles driven by minors and counsel them. But, there are over five lakh vehicles driving in the city, so it is not possible to counsel or talk to or act against every road user,” he added.
He additionally held faculties liable for permitting minors to come back in two-wheelers or four-wheelers. “It has to be a cooperative, a collaborative effort from parents, schools and traffic police, we have to work on the single page to stop this,” he mentioned.