Additional General Secretary National Conference and former Minister,Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today expressed profound shock and grief over the tragic death of three labourers following a partial bridge collapse at Thathar (Bantalab) in the Jammu North Assembly Constituency.
During his visit to the site of incident , Sadhotra, while interacting with the people present, said the incident has caused deep anguish and sorrow, describing it as a painful reminder of the risks faced by workers engaged in construction activities. He said his heart goes out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in such distressing circumstances. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families and prayed for strength to bear this irreparable loss.
Sadhotra also appreciated the prompt response of the rescue teams, including the National Disaster Force, State Disaster Force, Civil Defence personnel, besides the district civil and police administration. He said their swift and coordinated action helped in carrying out rescue operations efficiently and ensured the evacuation of one of the survivors. He acknowledged their commitment and professionalism during the critical hours following the incident.
Expressing concern over safety lapses, Sadhotra stressed the urgent need for strict adherence to safety norms at construction sites. He said that such tragedies must serve as a wake up call for all concerned agencies to enforce safety protocols in letter and spirit. He emphasized that the protection of human life must remain the top priority and called for regular monitoring and inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects. Sadhotra welcomed the announcement made by Chief Minister Jenab Omar Abdullah for conducting time bound thorough inquiry into the incident, hoping the responsibility will be fixed without delay and firm action taken against those found negligent. He said accountability is essential not only to deliver justice to the victims but also to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future.
Highlighting the plight of the affected families, Mr Sadhotra demanded adequate compensation and ex gratia relief for the next of kin of the deceased. He said the families, already grappling with emotional trauma, must be supported with financial assistance to help them cope with the loss of their earning members. He also called for necessary medical support and care for the injured labourer and prayed for his speedy recovery. Reiterating his concern for labour welfare, Mr Sadhotra said that workers engaged in development projects deserve a safe working environment and dignity in their livelihoods. He urged all stakeholders to work with greater responsibility so that such unfortunate incidents do not recur and precious lives are not lost.