Alleged negligence of R&B Dept leads to 5-year-old child’s death in Handwara

Handwara, Jul 30: A five-year-old boy, who had sustained grave injuries after falling from an incomplete bridge at Ahgam village of Handwara in northern district of Kupwara two weeks ago, breathed his last in a Srinagar hospital on July 29.
The locals blamed R&B department for the death of the boy alleging that the department had unnecessarily delayed the work on the bridge which “has become a death trap for the children of the area.” Two weeks ago, Afnan Anayat, 5, son of Anayatullah Shiekh, a resident of Ahgam Rajwar, Handwara fell from an incomplete bridge over a local Nallah on Ahgam-Warpora Link Road in Ahgam where he sustained serious wounds.
As per locals, iron rods lying scattered beneath the bridge had caused severe injuries to the boy who was rushed to Srinagar and he was immediately rushed to a local hospital where he was referred to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for advanced treatment.
Locals said that Afnan remained in a coma for two weeks and on July 29, he succumbed to his injuries. The residents of Ahgam village said that it was quite evident that due to the negligence of R&B department in league with concerned contractor lives of humans as well as animals were endangered and the safety of children and a good number of population was undermined. “The long delay in constructing the bridge by the R&B department consumed the life of Afnan,” said a local.
Meanwhile, Rights activist Rasik Rasool has filed a complaint with the Police seeking an FIR against the negligence of concerned authorities.
“R&B authorities and contractors are liable to punishment under sections 336 and 304A of IPC and other relevant laws,” he said. “”No directions were passed by Concerned District Magistrate and the District Child Protection officer for the police to register the case. I as a responsible citizen filled a Complaint with Police and hopefully action will be taken.” (KNO)