4 members of nomadic family dead as tree falls on tent in Kishtwar

LG Sinha, Azad express grief

STATE TIMES NEWS

Kishtwar: Four members of a tribal nomadic family died in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday morning when a pine tree fell on their tent, officials said.
The incident took place in the Bhalna forest area of Keshwan belt, they said, adding that high-speed winds and heavy rainfall uprooted the big tree.
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has expressed grief over the loss of lives due to unfortunate incident.
“Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in a tragic incident in Kishtwar. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones,” the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor has directed the Deputy Commissioner to provide all assistance to next of kin of deceased.
“A pine tree fell on a tent pitched by the nomadic family in the forest belt. In this tragic incident, four family members lost their lives early today,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Khalil Poswal told PTI.
The family was going towards Dachan with its sheep and goats, and had halted in Bhalna forest due to heavy rains, they said.
Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Devansh Yadav said four people, including three women, died on the spot.
“A police team immediately rushed to the spot and started a rescue operation,” Yadav said, adding that the bodies are being taken to a hospital for legal formalities.
An immediate relief of Rs 50,000 was provided to the family from the Red Cross Society, the deputy commissioner said. The deceased have been identified as Nazir Ahmed, son of Chatu, his wife Nissara Begum; Maimna Begum, wife of Mohd Shareef and Shamma Begum, wife of Kalu all residents of Gathi-Barwal in Kathua district.
Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad also expressed condolence over the loss of lives and lauded the efforts of locals for launching immediate rescue operation. He directed senior party leaders to supervise the rescue work.
“DPAP Vice-Chairman G M Saroori personally monitored the situation and also visited the injured in hospital.”
Azad urged the administration to provide all possible support and compensation to the bereaved families.
Azad also prayed for the speedy recovery of 11 passengers who were injured in a bus accident in Lakhanpur area of Kathua district on Thursday.
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed his grief and sorrow over the tragic incident and urged the administration to provide immediate and swift relief to the affected family.