Akhnoor road mishap: Govt suspends 6 officials, initiates in-depth enquiry

Srinagar, May 31: Government on Friday suspended six officials including Motor Vehicle Inspector posted at Regional Transport Officer Kathua and attached them to the office of Transport Commissioner, J&K Jammu with immediate effect.

The move comes after twenty-two pilgrims mainly from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, on way to Shivkhori Shrine in Reasi district were killed and sixty-nine others were injured when the bus, they were travelling in, fell into a deep gorge near Tanda in Akhnoor of Jammu district on Thursday.

The dead included six children and eight women while the injured also included seventeen children and twenty-nine women.

The Government has initiated an enquiry, and the appointed IO has been directed to conduct in-depth enquiry and submit the report along with recommendations for the conduct/dereliction and non-performance of duties on part of officers/officials within one week’s time positively.

“Pending enquiry into the conduct/dereliction of duties, the following officials posted in the office of Regional Transport Officer, Kathua (HQ Lakhanpur) are placed under suspension with immediate effect and are attached in the office of Transport Commissioner, J&K Jammu,” an order copy which lies at Greater Kashmir reads.

Those suspended include Ranjeev Bhasin, Motor Vehicle Inspector; Sumit Magotra, Junior Assistant; Ashwani Kumar, MTS; Aman Kumar, MTS; Keshav Singh, MTS; and Rakesh Kumar, MTS.

“Consequent upon the above, Shri Parmvir Singh, Additional Secretary (Technical), Secretariat o Road Safety Council, J&K is appointed as Inquiry Officer who will conduct in-depth enquiry for non performance of their legitimate duties. The Inquiry Officer shall submit the enquiry report along-with recommendations for the conduct/dereliction and non-performance of duties on part of Officers/Officials, within one week’s time positively,” the order reads.