India

Kolkata, Oct 13 (IANS) The Trinamool Congress faction led by former West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, on Tuesday, questioned the announcement by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) intimating people about the beginning of a campaign for enrolment of deleted eligible voters and new or first-time voters in the electoral rolls.

In a social media post issued by the Mamata Banerjee-led faction in the Trinamool Congress on Tuesday afternoon, the party alleged that Monday’s announcement by the CEO’s office was an indirect acceptance that the entire Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise was intended at helping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secure seats they could never have dreamt of winning.

“After deleting eligible voters from the electoral rolls before the elections, @ECISVEEP suddenly wants to launch a proactive campaign to ensure that no eligible elector is left out. Where was this proactiveness before the elections? Why was the SIR process in Bengal conducted in such a rushed and unplanned manner?” the Trinamool faction questioned in the social media statement.

The faction also argued that the timing of the announcement to start the proactive campaign raised serious questions about the integrity, fairness, and impartiality of the entire process.

“The ECI must explain these discrepancies and ensure accountability, rather than expect citizens to accept the process without question,” the social media statement read.

“In the name of Logical Discrepancy and botched-up SIR, the ECI took away people’s right to vote, hand in glove with Modi and Shah, to bring an illegitimate government to power. No government can claim legitimacy without public trust in the electoral process that brought it to power. Nothing illegal lasts forever. Neither will the @BJP4Bengal government,” the statement added.

On Monday, the CEO’s office claimed that all 24 District Magistrates (DMs)-cum-District Electoral Officers (DEOs) have started a proactive campaign for enrolment of deleted eligible voters and new or first-time voters in the electoral rolls.

The CEO said that the exercise was meant to ensure that no eligible elector is left out of the electoral rolls and special camps were being held throughout the state to ensure this.

The CEO’s office also advised that if any person has any complaint, he or she should contact the Booth-Level Officer (BLO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) or Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or the DEO-cum-DM concerned.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Oct 13 (IANS) The West Bengal Police have recovered a large quantity of firearms and ammunition from an abandoned Maoist camp in Purulia district, close to the Jharkhand border, officials said on Tuesday.

Purulia Superintendent of Police Kumar Sunny Raj said the recovery was made during a raid at a house in the Duarsini area under Bandoan police station, following the interrogation of recently surrendered Maoist cadres.

“Recently, top Maoist leaders like Madan, Ravi and Mira have surrendered to the police. Several members of the organisation have laid down their weapons. The surrendered Maoists were interrogated. Based on the information received from them, a raid was conducted at a house in the Duarsini area under Bandoan police station in Purulia, which is close to the Jharkhand border. A bag full of firearms and ammunition was recovered there,” Raj told the media.

He said the West Bengal Police had intensified anti-Maoist operations in coordination with their counterparts in neighbouring Jharkhand.

In August and September this year, the Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police, Bankura district police and the Jharkhand Police conducted joint raids and search operations, achieving significant results, officials said.

The Maoist movement in the region has reportedly weakened following sustained security operations. In January last year, 15 Maoists were killed during a major operation conducted by the Jharkhand Police.

However, the recovery of weapons from the abandoned camp has raised suspicions that Maoists could have concealed firearms and ammunition at other locations in the region.

“The police also suspect that Maoists have hidden firearms in some other secret places. Such operations will continue in the coming days as well,” a state police officer said.

West Bengal's anti-Maoist campaign recorded another major development last month when the Kolkata Police STF arrested senior CPI (Maoist) leader Asim Mandal, alias Akash, Timir and Manoj. He was among the most wanted Maoist operatives active across West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha.

Mandal was arrested during an early morning operation in Patashpur in East Midnapore district.

A combined bounty of Rs 2.20 crore had been announced for information leading to his capture. The Jharkhand government had offered Rs 1 crore for his arrest, while the Odisha government had announced a bounty of Rs 1.20 crore.

The latest recovery is expected to prompt further searches for suspected Maoist arms caches in the border areas.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi of allegedly "manhandling" a female journalist during the INDIA Bloc's march a day earlier, while the Congress hit back claiming that the BJP was "scripting narratives" after being unable to counter the allegations regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, who met the pregnant journalist after she was admitted at a hospital, told reporters, "She told us how Rahul Gandhi shoved and pushed her to the ground. She was not even asking them questions, just covering the protest."

"Not a single Congress worker helped the journalist after that. Rahul Gandhi, who keeps on saying 'smash the patriarchy', himself behaved like a goon. He even shoved his own party workers," Bhandari alleged.

"The way he manhandled the journalist, proves that Rahul Gandhi harbours immense hatred for the country's democracy and women. That is why both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are silent on the (sacked) JNU professor (from Congress) who is accused of harassing 11 female students," Bhandari alleged.

However, Congress MP Jebi Mather hit back at the allegations, saying: "BJP's strategy is to anyhow put across allegations on Rahul Gandhi. One of Rahul Gandhi's identity is his respect for women. Yesterday also he was taking care of and protecting a young leader, Neha Bora and Priyanka Gandhi."

"All this makes it clear what is Rahul Gandhi's approach towards women and it is evident how much he respects women. BJP is cooking up stories and scripting narratives because they do not have anything to counter the main argument put forth by Rahul Gandhi, Congress, the INDIA Bloc and by the people. So, they want to point fingers and create stories. We are just ignoring these because the nation knows what Rahul Gandhi stands for," she told IANS.

Mather, in turn, pointed to the detention of women protesters, alleging that Meta is removing videos of women being attacked during the protests.

"We are witnessing the influence of the ruling government, which is trying to remove media content using its power. Social media platforms are being controlled by the government," she claimed.

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also said: "The BJP has been rattled by the massive public turnout yesterday and is making such allegations."

RJD MLA Bhai Virendra also came in support of Rahul Gandhi, saying: "Such allegations are being made by supporters of the BJP. Our leaders, whether Tejashwi Yadav or Rahul Gandhi, cannot indulge in such wrong acts."

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, Oct 13 (IANS) A total of 158 people who had migrated to India from neighbouring countries received Indian citizenship certificates at a ceremony in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, including 126 under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and 32 through the District Collector’s Office.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi presented the certificates at an event organised by the Ahmedabad district administration at the auditorium of SAL Institute of Technology and Engineering.

The beneficiaries included members of minority communities who had faced religious persecution in Pakistan and settled in India.

Addressing the gathering, Sanghavi said the grant of citizenship had brought joy to the families ahead of Diwali, which is about 20 days away.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for introducing the CAA, saying the legislation is intended to provide a secure future for families who had faced religious persecution in neighbouring countries.

“Our country and state are committed to supporting those in distress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the CAA to ensure a secure and bright future for the children of refugee families. Today, thousands of families can lead dignified lives in India,” Sanghavi said.

He also criticised those who opposed the legislation for political reasons, saying they failed to understand the difficulties faced by the affected families.

Highlighting the significance of Indian citizenship and the dignity associated with an Indian passport, he expressed hope that future generations of the beneficiaries would become doctors, engineers and sportspersons and contribute to the country.

Sanghavi referred to the experiences of families including Nirmalaji, Kunwarben and Nandlalji, who had migrated from Pakistan.

He also highlighted the achievements of Dhara Sindhu, a girl who has physical challenges but has won medals in table tennis and floor games at district, state and national levels.

Minister of State for Urban Development, Darshna Vaghela, said: "The CAA, introduced under the leadership of PM Modi and HM Shah, is helping eligible people who had arrived from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan obtain Indian citizenship."

She also credited the efforts of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Sanghavi.

Citing Dimpalben, an Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation corporator who chairs its Women and Child Welfare Department, Vaghela said: "People who had received citizenship are also taking up positions in public life and contributing to society."

She congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to fulfil their responsibilities as citizens alongside exercising their rights.

BJP MLA Payal Kukrani said: "The legislation had helped address the longstanding difficulties of minority families who had migrated from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh after facing religious persecution."

She urged the recipients to uphold the country's unity and integrity, exercise their constitutional rights and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Three family representatives who had migrated from Pakistan -- Narendra Kumar, Shravan Kumar and Shardadevi -- expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the state leadership.

They described the occasion as a moment of pride and joy comparable to Diwali.

Sujal Mayatra, Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration in Gujarat, said the CAA, 2019, provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for eligible members of minority communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

"More than 1,500 people had been granted citizenship so far," he said. Mayatra said citizenship was not merely a document but also an opportunity for beneficiaries to contribute to the country's development.

Under Gazette notifications issued in 2016 and 2018, the Centre authorised District Collectors to grant citizenship under Sections 5 and 6 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, to members of minority communities from the three neighbouring countries.

From 2017 to 2025, Ahmedabad district issued citizenship certificates to more than 1,200 applicants, leading the country in this initiative, according to the district administration.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) The Congress party, despite firing the worker behind the controversial X post on the Chief Justice of India (CJI), continues to receive harsh criticism from the ruling party, with the latter calling it a reflection of the “party’s true intentions and mindset”.

Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, reacting to the raging row, was unsparing in his attack, saying that this showed Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s “strategy” of abusing and undermining the country’s democratic institutions.

The controversy erupted after an ‘objectionable post’ on X from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) handle, demanding CJI Surya Kant’s resignation over the latter’s comments on the law and order situation.

Following intense backlash, the Kerala Cong unit deleted the post and sacked the person behind it while offering an explanation that the tweet was published without the knowledge, consent or consultation of the KPCC leadership.

Chandrasekhar, while hitting out at the Congress party, said, "Deleting a tweet does not change the sentiment behind it or what the Congress party thinks and does. Rahul Gandhi has a strategy of abusing India and its institutions, whether the judiciary, Election Commission, government, media or young entrepreneurs."

BJP National Secretary Rohan Gupta accused the Congress party of resorting to 'anarchy' and claimed that its dangerous designs for the country are only showing up now.

Rohan Gupta said, "How can anyone make such statements about the CJI? Whether it is the Election Commissioner, the CJI or the President, will Congress create anarchy whenever a constitutional authority does not agree with it? This dangerous side of Congress is now being exposed before the country..."

Further seeking an apology, he asked, “This tweet has exposed Congress's true nature. Anyone holding a constitutional post who does not follow Congress's line is asked to resign. What kind of remark is this? Will Congress apologise?”

Earlier, BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan called out the ‘crass culture’ of Congress, stating, “This pungent tweet shows the crude and uncivilised culture encouraged and perpetrated by Rahul Gandhi.”

--IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) Terming the chemistry between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney as "excellent", Canadian High Commissioner to India Christopher Cooter said on Tuesday that the two nations never had as "good a relationship" as it is right now.

In an exclusive interview with IANS ahead of Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand's arrival in New Delhi later in the day, Cooter spoke about the recent engagements between the leadership of both countries, including meetings between External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Anand. He also talked about the upcoming visit of Canada's Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu.

"I think it is fair to say that we never had as good a relationship as we have right now. Starting at the highest level, the chemistry between our two Prime Ministers is excellent. They have met four times in just over a year. Officials are also meeting regularly. We recently had our National Security Advisor here for discussions with his Indian counterpart, and our Foreign Minister is coming here. This will be her 10th meeting with India's External Affairs Minister over the past year," the Canadian High Commissioner told IANS.

"Our Trade Minister will also visit next week, leading a delegation of 300 Canadian business representatives. I believe this is the largest trade delegation we have ever taken anywhere, certainly to India. They will be here for a week, going to several cities in southern India. We have got dialogues on energy, migration and defence, and we expect a defence-related visit in the near future. We had at least six other ministers visiting India over the past year. Our Prime Minister of course came here in March. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to come to Canada in early December. At that point, we are hoping to sign our first Free Trade Agreement during that visit. Which if we can do it, it will happen at light speed, because we only really began to negotiate this in March of this year," he added.

Cooter noted that ties between India and Canada are moving forward in the private sector as well with both nations "discovering each other" and aiming to double the trade by 2030.

"On many, many fields, we are moving ahead both on the public side, which is between the leaders and officials, and also on the private sector side. More and more companies, as I said, are coming on this mission next week. But, other than that, we've got energy companies talking to each other. We've got IT companies investing in both countries. Right now, we employ in India, mainly through our IT companies, but also auto and other sectors, about 100,000 Indians in good well-paying jobs. But in Canada, about 50,000 Canadians are actually employed by Indian companies. So while trade per se is not where it should be, and we've got a goal of doubling it by 2030, if you look at the investments that are pouring in, it's going very, well. What we're doing right now is we're kind of discovering each other. I mean, we've had a long relationship."

He noted that India and Canada will mark 80 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2027 and stressed that the two countries are building a momentum that both sides have talked about for decades but never managed to achieve, one which is more commensurate with the size of economies, the scale of growth and momentum in both countries.

"You're building to Viksit Bharat, developed country status by 2047. I would argue that we're doing something similar in Canada over the last year or so. We have just had an investment conference where the corporate side pledged some $500 billion in investment in Canada. We are going to spend $500 billion more on investment in defence by 2035. So we're ramping up and in a way developing to be a different kind of Canada, a new Canada that wasn't even visible six months ago."

"With all of that gravity from the enormous size and growth of the Indian economy and the changes in Canada that are coming about, mostly to diversify our trade. So, we have more options than just the United States. When you put all these pieces together, it fits incredibly well together. It's like gears fitting together, one supports the other and moves. The faster one goes, the faster the other one goes. That's where we're at. We're still a long way from where we need to be, but a lot of the government framework is being put in place. The business sector is getting to know each other, and I think we are going to see much, more even next year," he added.

Cooter said that Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, during his visit to India, will hold talks to advance the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations which are in the fifth round.

"For the Trade Minister, two things, one is to advance our CEPA negotiations. We're in the fifth round right now at the officials level. He will be speaking with Minister Goyal to take it further, to go faster. At the same time, he's heading this mission of 300 Canadian business people going to Mumbai and then going to Bangalore, and some of them will, of course, go to other cities. That's the largest trade mission I think we've ever done anywhere, certainly to India.

"Our Foreign Minister will also visit India. Both ministers are expected to participate in discussions at the Bloomberg conference. They will be talking about greater cooperation in the geopolitical sphere. The two Foreign Ministers will meet again to discuss a wide range of issues. For example, the New Partnership for Multilateralism was formed at the United Nations General Assembly a few weeks ago, and both countries are members. I expect them to talk about that and cooperation in defence field, which we also just begun. So there are a range of things that both ministers will be able to take further as we head towards the Prime Minister's visit to Canada in December," he added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Oct 13 (IANS) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said that those speaking against the country or engaging in activities he described as treasonous should be jailed, not merely have FIRs filed against them, as he accused the Opposition of attempting to create unrest and undermine the country's progress.

Speaking to IANS, Shinde described Monday as a "black day" in the country's history, alleging that democracy and the Supreme Court had been disrespected by the Opposition's protest march against the country's highest judicial institution.

"Yesterday will be remembered as a black day in the history of the country because democracy and India's highest judicial institution were disrespected. In India's history, a protest march has never been taken out against the Supreme Court. This is an attack on the country's highest judicial institution. They want to spread unrest and chaos in the country. This is a major, well-planned conspiracy," he said.

Shinde alleged that the protest was part of an international conspiracy and accused the Opposition of attempting to obstruct the country's development.

"I will say that it is an international conspiracy. Protesting with them is treason. The Leader of the Opposition works like a puppet. It is shameful that they are trying to hinder the country's progress," he said.

Claiming that the Opposition was attempting to tarnish India's image internationally, Shinde praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and said the country was moving towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

"PM Modi has taken the country to great heights. He is taking the country forward towards Viksit Bharat by 2047. At a time when the economies of several countries have collapsed, he is taking India from the Fragile Five to the top five," he said.

Shinde attributed the Opposition's criticism to jealousy and said that 140 crore Indians stood with the Prime Minister. He also accused Opposition leaders of being desperate to return to power despite repeated electoral defeats.

He further criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over an alleged incident involving a woman journalist during Monday's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

A woman journalist had claimed that she was three months pregnant and alleged that Gandhi grabbed her hand and pulled her forward before his security personnel pushed her away while she was covering the protest.

Questioning Gandhi's conduct, Shinde said it was inappropriate for the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha to behave in such a manner and accused him of seeking publicity. He urged citizens to consider whether Opposition leaders were working to unite or divide the country.

"It is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure that they fail," he said, referring to the Opposition.

Shinde also reacted to the controversy involving actor Imran Khan following his protest in Mumbai, alleging that forces were attempting to damage India's reputation.

"The way people say that we will make the country as strong as China, what is this? What is the purpose and intention? The way the INDIA bloc is trying to stop the country's progress, we have to make them fail," he said.

Reiterating his demand for strict action against those he accused of acting against the country, Shinde said, “Not just an FIR, they should be put in jail if they are speaking against the country or engaging in treasonous activities.”

Referring to the Emergency, he said that people were now free to approach the Supreme Court, organise protests and express their views, unlike during the period when restrictions were imposed on the media.

Shinde also criticised Gandhi for allegedly comparing himself to Lord Shiva. He said such comparisons were inappropriate and warned the Opposition against what he described as provocative conduct.

Shinde further said those who compared themselves to Lord Shiva should remember the symbolism of the deity's third eye, adding that the INDIA bloc and other Opposition parties would be reduced to ashes by its fire.

--IANS

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Guwahati, Oct 13 (IANS) A 68-year-old private tutor was arrested in Assam's Dhubri district for allegedly molesting an eight-year-old girl during home tuition sessions, police said on Tuesday.

The accused, identified as Mosaraf Hussain, son of late Mahammad Ali Bepari, was arrested from the district following a complaint lodged by the minor's family.

According to police, the alleged incident took place at the child's residence in Bidyapara Part-II, also known as Bhatigaon, where Hussain used to conduct private tuition classes.

The matter came to light after the girl reportedly refused to attend her scheduled lessons. When her guardians questioned her about her reluctance, she allegedly disclosed that the tutor had subjected her to inappropriate physical contact during the sessions.

Suspecting wrongdoing, the family decided to record one of the tuition sessions on a mobile phone. The footage allegedly captured the accused engaging in inappropriate behaviour with the minor, prompting the guardians to approach the Bazar TOP police outpost.

The family subsequently handed over the recording to the police and sought action against the tutor.

Acting on the complaint and the material submitted by the guardians, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Abhajyoti Rabha took up the matter and arrested Hussain at around 7.30 p.m. on Monday.

Police have registered a case against the accused under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other applicable legal provisions.

The POCSO Act provides a special legal framework for protecting children from sexual offences and prescribes stringent penalties for offenders found guilty.

Further details regarding the specific sections invoked, the accused's production before a court and subsequent legal proceedings were not immediately available.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the importance of safeguarding children during private tuition and other activities conducted outside formal school settings.

The investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of the alleged offence and examine the evidence collected in the case.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Oct 13 (IANS) Security agencies have recovered a consignment of suspected explosives and weapons from the Rawla Mandi area of Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district, near the Pakistan border.

Two youths from Punjab have been arrested in connection with the case, while a search operation is underway in the surrounding areas.

According to preliminary information, the consignment was allegedly dropped by a drone from across the Pakistan border on Monday night.

The recovered material reportedly includes RDX, two pistols, four magazines, around 650 cartridges, four pairs of batteries and two remote-control devices.

The exact nature and quantity of the seized material are yet to be officially confirmed.

The operation was conducted by teams from the Border Security Force (BSF), the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and Rawla police following an intelligence input about suspicious packets being dropped near Chak 4 KNM W Tail, under Gram Panchayat 12 KND in the Rawla area.

According to officials, the ANTF had received information that three packets had been dropped by a suspected Pakistani drone in a field near a canal at around 10 p.m. on Monday. Initially, the packets were suspected to contain narcotics. Acting on the input, security personnel searched the area and recovered the suspicious packets. The contents reportedly included weapons and explosive material. Two youths were apprehended during the operation.

Preliminary information suggests that one is from Jalandhar and the other from the Firozpur area of Punjab. Their alleged roles and links to the consignment are being investigated.

ANTF Inspector General Vikas Kumar said a large quantity of ammunition and suspected explosives had been dropped in Rajasthan using drones. He said security agencies were investigating who had sent the consignment and what its intended purpose was.

The entire matter was under investigation, and further details would emerge as the probe progressed. The IG confirmed that two accused had been arrested in connection with the case.

Following the recovery, security agencies have tightened surveillance in the border region. Search operations are underway in agricultural fields, along canal banks and in nearby areas to determine whether any additional packets or suspicious material were dropped.

Investigators are also questioning the arrested youths to establish their alleged connections, identify those behind the consignment and determine where the weapons and explosives were intended to be delivered.

A specialised team has reportedly been called from Jaipur to examine the seized material and establish its precise composition and quantity. Security agencies are continuing their investigation, and further details are awaited.

--IANS

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Jammu, Oct 13 (IANS) At least four people were injured in a road accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, officials said on Tuesday.

Officials said the four people, including two women, were injured after a vehicle they were travelling in overturned near Shenai in the Bhalla area of the district.

Union Minister of State (PMO), Dr Jitendra Singh, said on X, “Just now spoke to DC Doda Sh Krishan Lal after learning about an unfortunate road accident involving a mini-bus, on way from Doda to Bhaderwah."

“The injured passengers have been shifted to hospital for medical aid, and their condition is reported to be stable. Thankfully, no casualty reported. All necessary assistance being provided. My office is in touch with the district administration,” the Minister said.

The injured were identified as Ashiq Hussain (35), son of Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Gotha in Bhaderwah; Mohd Javed (48), son of Talib Hussain; his wife, Rubina Begum (46), both residents of Brassu in Bhalla; and Insha (35), wife of Rashid Ahmed, a resident of Bhaderwah.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognisance of the incident, and further details are being verified.

Road accidents in the hilly districts of Jammu and Kashmir (such as Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, and parts of Budgam) are caused by a combination of challenging geography, extreme weather, and human or infrastructural factors.

Treacherous terrain and poor road geometry, narrow carriageways, sharp bends, steep gradients, and limited sight distances make manoeuvring difficult on mountain highways and link roads.

A lack of essential safety infrastructure, such as crash barriers, parapet walls, and proper road signage, frequently turns minor slips into fatal plunges into deep gorges.

Monsoon rains, melting snow, and heavy fog trigger frequent landslides, rockfalls, and road-surface erosion, drastically reducing grip and visibility. July and monsoon months experience a notable spike in crashes as wet roads and mudslides compromise vehicle control.

Drivers often exceed safe speeds relative to the winding, unpredictable nature of hill roads. Overtaking on blind curves and ignoring lane discipline are major contributors to head-on collisions and vehicles skidding off-road.

Passenger vehicles and goods carriers are frequently overloaded beyond capacity, making navigation on steep slopes dangerous.

Commercial operators sometimes bypass strict permit or maintenance checks on link roads.

Limited police or traffic regulation presence on remote rural and hill link roads allows unsafe driving behaviours to go unchecked. Delayed road repairs and poor drainage systems further accelerate the deterioration of mountain paths.

--IANS

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