𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐈𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐊𝐮𝐩𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐚, 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

Kupwara, April 12: Minister for Health, Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, visited Kalaroos and Sogam areas of Kupwara district on Saturday to extend condolences to the families of the students who tragically lost their lives in a road accident earlier in the day.

She was accompanied by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, former Minister Choudhary Mohammad Ramzaan, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Ayushi Sudan, Director Health Services Kashmir Dr. Jahangir Bakshi, Director Colleges Dr. Sheikh Aijaz Bashir, and other senior district officials.

Sakeena Itoo met the bereaved families, offering her heartfelt sympathies and assuring them of full government support during this difficult time. “This is not just a loss for the families but a tragedy for the entire region. Losing such promising young lives is heartbreaking,” she said.

She announced that ex-gratia relief had been approved for the victims’ families and a magisterial inquiry had been ordered to investigate the accident.

The Minister added that following the accident, senior health officials, including Director SKIMS, Principal GMCs Srinagar and Handwara, Director Health Services Kashmir, and the CMO Kupwara, were instructed to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured students. Hospital administrations were directed to personally oversee the treatment process.

Itoo commended the swift response of medical teams, which she said had helped save lives by ensuring immediate transfer of the injured to advanced medical facilities. She later visited GMC Handwara, interacted with the injured students and their families, and assured them of continued support.

During her visit, she instructed hospital staff to prioritize the care of the injured and maintain round-the-clock medical support. The Medical Superintendent informed her that most of the injured students had been discharged, while three remained admitted at GMC Handwara, and one each at SMHS and SKIMS Srinagar.