The Kashmir Pulse

GANDERBAL — A journey from the picturesque tourist destination of Sonamarg towards Srinagar turned into a nightmare on Tuesday after a Tempo Traveller carrying 18 tourists plunged nearly 60 feet into a deep gorge near Gund Sumbal Power House in Kangan area of Ganderbal district, leaving all occupants, including the driver, injured. Six of the injured are stated to be in critical condition.

The vehicle, bearing registration number DL1VC-5231, was negotiating the stretch near Gund Sumbal Power House when it veered off the road and plunged into the gorge. The vehicle was on its way to Srinagar from Sonamarg when the accident occurred.

The fall into the deep gorge triggered an immediate rescue response, with local residents and police personnel rushing to the accident site. The injured had to be evacuated from the accident spot and shifted for medical attention as emergency arrangements were mobilised from different parts of the area.

With the number of injured requiring urgent medical assistance, ambulances were called from several health facilities, including Primary Health Centres at Sonamarg, Gund and Ganiwan. The coordinated response helped transport all the injured to PHC Gund, where they were provided initial medical attention.

Doctors at PHC Gund subsequently referred all 18 injured persons to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar, for further treatment. Six of them were reported to be in critical condition, raising concerns over their health.

SDPO Kangan Rajesh Raina confirmed the accident to Kashmir News Trust, saying that 18 tourists, including the driver, has sustained injuries. He said all the injured were initially taken to PHC Gund before being referred to SKIMS Srinagar, adding that six were critical.

The cause of the accident remains unknown. However, preliminary assessment suggests that overspeeding may have contributed to the vehicle going out of control. "All the victims are residents of Gurdaspur, Punjab," a medico from SKIMS said.

SRINAGAR — The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC), Jammu and Kashmir, has urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene and seek a revision of the upper age limit prescribed by Jammu and Kashmir Bank for recruitment to 1,356 posts of Banking Associates and Probationary Officers.

In a memorandum submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, the group has sought to raise the upper age limit to 40 years, in line with the age eligibility criteria applicable under Jammu and Kashmir's government recruitment rules.

The J&K Bank has prescribed an upper age limit of 32 years for Banking Associates and 30 years for Probationary Officers in the ongoing recruitment process.

The GCC pointed out that during the 2020 recruitment cycle, the upper age limit for open merit candidates was 32 years for Banking Associates and 30 years for Probationary Officers. In 2018, the bank had initially prescribed similar limits, which were subsequently raised to 35 years for Banking Associates following representations from candidates.

The group said the age relaxation provided under J&K government recruitment rules was necessitated by endemic educated unemployment in the Union Territory and limited industrial and business opportunities.

It also argued that since the reservation framework followed by J&K Bank is aligned with the government's reservation policy, the age eligibility criteria should also be brought in line with the UT recruitment rules.

The GCC has appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to take up the matter with the bank management and ensure revision of the age criteria, citing concerns of thousands of aspirants, civil society groups and public representatives across the political spectrum. 

BANDIPORA — Tourists currently visiting Gurez Valley have been advised to leave the area by Tuesday, November 10, in view of a forecast of heavy snowfall from November 11 and the possibility of road blockages that could leave visitors stranded.

Bandipora Police issued a general travel advisory, urging tourists to plan their departure immediately and avoid undertaking fresh journeys to Gurez in anticipation of adverse weather conditions.

The advisory also cautions that snowfall could disrupt road connectivity, making travel difficult and potentially cutting off the valley from other areas.

Police have specifically urged examination candidates, patients requiring regular medical care or consultations, guests travelling for scheduled weddings and other urgent events, and individuals having time-bound official duties outside the Sub-Division to take the warning seriously and plan their movements accordingly.

Tourists have been advised to plan their journeys well in advance, preferably travel during daylight hours, avoid unnecessary movement and follow official weather and road advisories issued by the concerned authorities.

They have also been asked to remain in coordination with local police and the administration for updates on road conditions.