Bishnah (Jammu), Jun 15: Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana Sunday accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of “systematically sidelining Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in Jammu and Kashmir by failing to implement key welfare legislations introduced after the abrogation of Article 370.”

Addressing a public gathering at Darbar Ground in Bishnah, Khatana alleged that landmark central laws including the Forest Rights Act and the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act- though extended to Jammu and Kashmir post-2019, remained largely unimplemented on the ground.

“The tribal population continues to live without even the most basic amenities. Their hamlets lack roads, electricity, clean water and healthcare. Funds are being allocated, but there is no accountability. One has to ask- where is the money going?” Khatana questioned.

Senior BJP leader claimed that while the Modi government ensured constitutional rights were extended to all communities after the special status of J&K was revoked, the Omar-led National Conference government failed to follow through.

“Is it because these communities supported the abrogation of Article 370? Are they now being punished for their loyalty to the nation?” he asked, calling the situation “deeply discriminatory and politically motivated.”

The BJP MP pointed out that several state and centrally sponsored development schemes had seen progress under the present Lieutenant Governor-led administration, but these initiatives were now allegedly being obstructed or diluted.

“Development cannot be selective. Welfare must reach the last person in the line,” he said.

Moreover, Khatana demanded that the J&K government should release a White paper detailing the disbursement and on-ground status of all state and central welfare schemes.

“People deserve to know how public money is being spent. Communities that are constitutionally entitled to development cannot be left in the lurch,” he added.

He also used the platform to urge tribal elders and local leaders to act against the growing menace of drug addiction and social decay among youth in marginalised areas.

“Social neglect is driving our youth toward dangerous paths. We need collective responsibility to protect the next generation,” he said.

Khatana appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to intervene if the state administration continued to fail in delivering basic rights and infrastructure to the tribal and backward populations.

“These aren’t favours. Rather, these are rights guaranteed by the Constitution. If the government of the day won’t uphold them, the LG must step in and ensure justice,” he asserted.

New Delhi, Jun 15: At least two people have died and several others are feared drowned after a bridge over the Indrayani river collapsed in Kundmala, a popular monsoon tourist spot in Pune’s Maval area, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. The incident occurred on Sunday evening, when a large number of tourists had gathered in the area.

According to NDTV, 32 people sustained injuries in the incident, with six in critical condition. The sudden collapse sent dozens plunging into the swollen river, which had seen a sharp rise in water level due to heavy rainfall over the past two days.

NDTV reported that Home Minister Amit Shah expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the collapse. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Cyprus, also spoke to Mr Fadnavis and was briefed on the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

Search and rescue efforts are underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and emergency services deployed at the site. Six people have been rescued so far. Chief Minister Fadnavis, in a post on social media, confirmed that some individuals have been swept away and said relief efforts are being carried out “on a war footing.”

The tragedy unfolded despite prior concerns raised by locals about the structural integrity of the bridge, which was last renovated about four to five years ago. Many tourists, unaware of the warnings, had been on the bridge when it gave way.

An orange alert had already been issued for Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, with forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the ghat regions. The deluge likely contributed to the river’s force and the bridge’s failure. Officials have launched an investigation into the collapse, while urgent efforts continue to locate the missing and provide aid to the injured.

Ahmedabad, June 15: Three days after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, which has so far claimed 270 lives, hospital authorities confirmed on Sunday the identification of 47 victims through DNA matching, including that of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Authorities have handed over 24 bodies to the victims’ families, officials said on Sunday.

Rupani was among the 242 passengers and crew members on board the London-bound Air India flight AI-171 that crashed on Thursday.

The Gujarat government has announced a state mourning for Rupani on Monday. A funeral procession will be held in Rajkot in the evening.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a medical college complex moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM on Thursday. So far 29 people are reported to have died in the disaster on the ground which includes five MBBS students. Only one person from the aircraft miraculously survived.

Due to the severe condition of many bodies—burnt or disfigured—authorities are relying on DNA matching for identification.

“A total of 47 plane crash victims have been identified so far through DNA matching. Of these, the bodies of 24 victims have been handed over to their respective families. These deceased were from Rajasthan and different parts of Gujarat,” Additional Civil Superintendent Dr. Rajnish Patel told reporters.

He added that 14 of the identified victims were from Udaipur, Vadodara, Kheda, Mehsana, Ahmedabad, and Botad districts.

Of the 51 people injured in the incident, 38 have been discharged, while 13 are still undergoing treatment, said Dr. Patel, a professor of surgery at the government-run B J Medical College.

According to Dr. Dhaval Gameti, president of the BJ Medical College Junior Doctors’ Association, around 270 bodies were brought to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital from the crash site.

State Relief Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey told reporters that families of all 230 passengers who perished on the flight have been contacted.

“Members of only three deceased passengers are yet to give their DNA samples as they live abroad. They are expected to arrive tomorrow evening. Along with the mortal remains, we are also handing over death certificates to the kin so that they don’t face any issues afterwards,” said Pandey.

To assess the situation, P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited the crash site and Civil Hospital on Sunday. He was briefed on the sequence of events and interacted with the injured.

State government officials apprised Mishra about the sequence of events leading to the disaster, which is the country’s worst aviation accident in decades.

After enquiring about the health of the injured, Mishra proceeded to the hospital’s morgue area.

“I am very pained by the enormity of the tragedy. Everybody is sad. It is our duty to share grief and express our feelings for the victims,” Mishra told reporters.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading a thorough probe into the causes of the crash. Various Central and state government agencies, including the state police, are assisting the AAIB team at the crash site in Meghaninagar.

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani highlighted the crucial recovery of the black box, an essential component of the investigation.

“The black box recovery was a very important part of the investigation process…The AMC immediately acted and the black box was also recovered,” Pani said, noting its location in the tail end of the aircraft, which was embedded in a building.

City Police Commissioner G.S. Malik also visited the accident site on Sunday morning.

Ahmedabad fire brigade officials said three delegations visited the crash site on Sunday including some foreigners to assist investigators.

Sources said the first meeting of a high-level multi-disciplinary committee formed by the Centre will be held on Monday in New Delhi.

The committee, headed by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, is mandated to ascertain the “root cause” of the plane crash and assess any contributing factors, including mechanical failure, human error,

and regulatory compliances. The committee has been mandated to submit its report within three months.

As part of the ongoing efforts, 230 teams have been formed to coordinate with the victims’ families.

Meanwhile, Air India on Sunday said it is working closely with other Tata group companies to provide every possible assistance to the families and loved ones of the plane crash victims.

The airline in a statement also said that over 400 family members have reached Ahmedabad and are being assisted by its teams on the ground.