Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Mar 13: A major protest erupted today as the family members and relatives of a youth who lost his life in a tragic road accident staged a demonstration by blocking the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway near Government Medical College (GMC) Kathua. The protestors, carrying the deceased’s body, placed it in the middle of the road and halted vehicular movement on one tube of the busy highway for nearly an hour.
The deceased was identified as Harpreet Singh, a resident of Ward 12, Kathua. He was fatally struck late Tuesday night by a high-speed dumper, bearing registration number JK02DF-8651, while riding his motorcycle (Number JK08M-6559). The accident resulted in his immediate death, sparking outrage among locals who have long complained about the dangers posed by reckless and overloaded dumpers moving at high speeds in populated areas.
The protestors, raising slogans against the authorities, demanded immediate action, including a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the bereaved family and an urgent ban on the movement of such high-speed dumpers in residential and busy areas. According to locals, this incident marks the third such fatal accident on the same stretch of road, highlighting a growing concern over road safety.
The protest continued until senior officials, including the concerned SHO and Tehsildar, arrived at the scene. They assured the aggrieved family that their demands would be seriously considered. Only after receiving this assurance did the protesters agree to suspend their demonstration and clear the highway for traffic movement.
Residents of the area have urged the administration to enforce stricter regulations on dumpers, ensuring adherence to speed limits and preventing further loss of lives. The bereaved family appealed for justice and stringent measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
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