After Kid’s Death, Locals Protest against Forest Department at Srinagar’s Shalteng Over Timber Log Safety
Srinagar, Feb 12, KNT: After the death of a six-year-old boy and critical injuries to his elder brother, inhabitants on Thursday staged a protest at Shalteng Ghat on the outskirts of Srinagar, alleging negligence in stacking of timber logs belonging to the State Forest Corporation.
The protest erupted following the tragic incident in which two brothers, Arhan Imran, 6, and Huzaif Imran, 10, sons of Muhammad Imran and inhabitants of Boatman Colony, Bemina, were reportedly playing near stacked timber logs at the site when the logs rolled down and crushed them.
Both children were immediately rushed to JVC Hospital, Bemina, where doctors declared Arhan brought dead. His brother Huzaif is stated to be in critical condition and undergoing treatment.
Angered by the incident, locals assembled near the site and accused the Forest Department of piling up massive logs without adequate safety measures. They alleged that the timber was stacked in a hazardous manner, posing serious risk to public safety.
Protesters said the children belonged to a financially weak family and were living in a tin shed. They demanded immediate compensation for the bereaved family and strict action against the officials responsible for maintaining the timber yard.
Police were deployed in the area to prevent escalation, while authorities have taken cognizance of the matter.[KNT]
