The accident occurred at Tengpora on the Srinagar-Baramulla freeway.
Srinagar:
Two teenage boys died and as many have been injured when their automobile rammed right into a stationary truck earlier than hitting a highway divider, sparking calls from numerous quarters, together with political events, for strict motion on underage driving in Kashmir.
The accident occurred on Thursday at Tengpora on the Srinagar-Baramulla freeway when the youngsters have been driving an SUV. CCTV footage of the incident has been broadly circulated on social media.
Why so hurry??
SPEED THRILLS !
BUT KILLS !!!Two College students Lifeless, One Essential in Thar’s Lethal Street Accident in Tengpora Srinagar.#srinagaraccidentpic.twitter.com/rr8WMzPT9F
— Jyoti Budania (@BudaniaJyoti) November 15, 2024
Hamaad and Aseem Sofi, each aged 17, died within the accident, leaving their households devastated. Of the 2 different individuals injured, certainly one of them is in a crucial state.
Politicians, together with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, expressed grief over the lack of the lack of lives because the accident has renewed calls from the civil society to curb underage driving.
“Our highway sense reveals no signal of bettering,” Abdullah mentioned on X whereas condoling the lack of lives within the accident.
“Heartbreaking visuals. This accident claimed treasured younger lives and has had a devastating influence on their households. My coronary heart goes out to the households of the boys killed on this tragic accident. Might Allah grant them a spot in Jannat,” he added.
The Chief Minister additionally mentioned, “Our automobiles get faster, our roads get higher however our highway sense reveals no signal of bettering. Pace thrills but it surely kills with no regret. Site visitors guidelines are there for a motive, they hold us protected however provided that we comply with them.” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) (Site visitors) Srinagar Metropolis, Muzaffar Shah, appealed to folks to not permit minors to have entry to both two or four-wheelers.
“All 4 youngsters within the automobile have been finding out at a selected faculty. The difficulty is how did the dad and mom permit the boys to have entry to the four-wheeler. Had there been no entry, this unlucky accident wouldn’t have occurred,” he mentioned.
The SSP (Site visitors) mentioned the prime duty is of fogeys as a result of a minor with no driving license shouldn’t get entry to a two or four-wheeler.
“The (CCTV) footage reveals they have been rushing. Had there been no rushing, possibly evasive motion by them might have given them an opportunity, and saved them,” Shah mentioned.
He additionally mentioned, “Now we have been seizing automobiles pushed by minors and counselling them. However there are over 5 lakh automobiles within the metropolis, so it’s not potential to counsel or speak to or act towards each highway consumer.” The police have been repeatedly making efforts, together with by way of social media, to attraction to the dad and mom to not give minors entry to automobiles, Shah mentioned.
He additionally held colleges answerable for permitting minors to return in two-wheelers or four-wheelers. “It must be a cooperative and collaborative effort from dad and mom, colleges and site visitors police. Now we have to be on the identical web page to cease this,” the SSP (Site visitors) mentioned.
“Up to now two to 3 days, we’re particularly specializing in minors and excluding all different violations for now.
“If dad and mom should not sufficient, allow us to do it for them. We have been anticipating assist from society and oldsters however they don’t seem to be cooperating… These are our personal children, the way forward for our society. Throughout the parameters and assets accessible to us, we’ll attempt to curb it within the shortest time period,” the SSP instructed PTI Movies.
“As soon as a automobile pushed by a minor is seized, all legal guidelines relevant are included in a challan. Now we have now intensified it extra,” he added.
Requested about knowledge on highway accidents within the Valley involving minors, the SSP mentioned, “I haven’t got many particulars as of now, however… this 12 months the variety of fatalities was fewer in comparison with earlier years.” Apni Get together President Altaf Bukhari sought a whole ban on underage driving and mentioned the rise in highway accidents, particularly these attributable to careless driving, is deeply regarding.
“It’s heartbreaking to see pictures of the younger boys who misplaced their lives in current accidents in Lawaypora and Tengapora, leaving their households, particularly their dad and mom, devastated. Authorities should implement strict measures to forestall reckless driving, stunts, and underage driving,” he mentioned on X.
“Strict motion towards site visitors violators, a whole ban on underage driving, and a complete consciousness marketing campaign are urgently wanted,” Bukhari mentioned.
In his Friday sermon, reasonable Hurriyat Convention chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq additionally expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in vehicular accidents throughout Kashmir.
With deep sorrow, he famous, “Every day, we hear about site visitors accidents claiming treasured lives. Simply yesterday, two younger boys tragically misplaced their lives, and a 3rd is battling for his life.” The Mirwaiz urged dad and mom to train warning whereas giving kids automobiles, notably bikes and automobiles, which they typically drive recklessly.
He mentioned dad and mom should be cautious of granting their youngsters entry to bikes or automobiles they drive at excessive velocity, endangering their very own lives and that of others.
Netizens have additionally expressed severe concern over the accident and plenty of demanded that motion needs to be taken towards the dad and mom for permitting minors to drive automobiles on roads.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)