Two women pedestrians were crushed to death by an army vehicle here today, triggering protests in the area.
According to witnesses, the tragic accident took place at around 10:20 am when the army vehicle, part of a convoy on way to Chowkibal from Kupwara, this morning hit two women pedestrians near forest check post Panzgam on Kupwara-Chowkibal road resulting in their on-spot death.The duo was removed by the locals to the nearby hospital where they were declared brought dead.
Victims have been identified as Nazia Begum (36) wife of Khazar Muhammad Bhat and 24-year-old Saima Bano daughter of Muhammad Afzal, both residents of Panzgam Kralpora in Kupwara district.
Confirming the death of two women, a senior police official said that, “The accident claimed the lives of two women.”
Meanwhile, the accident triggered massive protests in the area. People from Panzgam, Rawathpora and adjoining areas assembled in Panzgam and staged a sit-in, blocking Kupwara-Chowkibal despite torrential rains.
Protestors raised slogans against army and demanded arrest of driver for ‘negligent’ driving.
They hurled rocks at the army vehicles and didn’t allow troops to remove the vehicle that had hit the women.
Locals alleged that army vehicle was over-speeding as it hit the women who were walking on pavement.
Large contingent of police and para-military forces was rushed to the spot to contain the protesters.
The last rites of the duo were performed in Panzgam this evening.
As many as 25 people have been injured in road accidents across the Valley, the police said today.In Baramulla district, a passenger bus collided with a motorcycle near Sheeri, resulting in injuries to 17 passengers, a police spokesman said.
Six passengers were injured when a bus in which they were travelling overturned at Machwa in Budgam district.The police said a boy was injured when he was hit by a vehicle in Handwara town while a pedestrian was hit and injured by a vehicle in Tral town
