-National Conference Additional General Secretary and former Minister Mr. Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today expressed profound anguish and grief over the tragic loss of three precious lives caused by the cloudburst on the Jammu–Srinagar Highway and conveyed his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected.
In a statement, Mr Sadhotra commended on-the-spot review of the situation by Chief Minister Mr Omar Abdullah over the past two days and lauded the state administration’s swift assistance and stepped up relief measures in the affected areas.
“Had there not been an elected government in place, nobody would have cared about our tragedy,” Mr. Sadhotra remarked, underlining the vital role of democratic institutions in times of crisis.
Mr Sadhotra exuded confidence that the Jenab Omar led government would take measures for adequate ex gratia to next of kin of the deceased in the calamity, compensation for huge loss of livestock and immovable properties of the locals in the affected areas.
Emphasizing the recurring nature of cloudbursts, especially during the monsoon season, he urged the government to develop and implement an exigency response plan for the Jammu–Srinagar Highway to mitigate future disasters and ensure the safety.
Reiterating the National Conference’s core principle of secularism, Mr. Sadhotra said the party is committed to the welfare of every citizen—across all religions, regions, and communities—through equitable development and social justice initiatives. He highlighted the party’s ongoing efforts to strengthen livelihood programmes aimed specifically at marginalized and vulnerable groups, saying no one is left behind in the march towards progress. He said the National Conference will continue to bolster infrastructure with focus on remote areas, so that all regions of the state benefit equally from government support.
Mr. Sadhotra said that the National Conference remains committed to transparent, people-centric governance—regularly consulting stakeholders from every sector to shape policies that reflect the diverse needs of Jammu and Kashmir.
The former minister prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and strength to the families who have lost loved ones in Ramban and Reasi areas in the wake of rains. He hoped the measures would be stepped up for opening of the national highway at the earliest.
