People demand fencing, surveillance along Jhelum
Srinagar: The body of an Uttar Pradesh (UP) youth, who had jumped into river Jhelum on April 22, was recovered on Monday by SDRF teams from Old Zaina Kadal area of Srinagar after five days of continuous search operations, officials said here.
An official said that SDRF Quick Response Team (QRT) Jhelum recovered the body during early afternoon search operations. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Quresh Siddiqi (18), son of Mohammad Nawab Siddiqi, a resident of Uttar Pradesh.
“The body was retrieved from the river during a coordinated search operation at Zaina Kadal stretch and was later handed over to police for medico-legal formalities,” ASI SDRF Jhelum Srinagar, Mohammad Ashraf said.
Locals in the area expressed grief over the incident and urged authorities to strengthen safety measures along riverbanks. “This is extremely painful. Such incidents need urgent preventive action so that lives are not lost in this manner,” said a resident.
Officials said SDRF teams had been conducting continuous search operations since April 22, covering multiple stretches of Jhelum, including Budshah Bridge, Chattabal weir and downstream areas.
“Despite sustained day and late-night efforts, the body could not be traced initially due to strong water currents and river conditions,” Ashraf said, adding the body was finally recovered this afternoon during intensified search operations at Zaina Kadal.
Residents and pedestrians have urged the government to install iron fencing on both sides of the bridge, enhance CCTV surveillance and ensure round-the-clock police deployment in the area
