J&K Students Association expresses grief over tragic Handwara road accident

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Saturday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the devastating bus accident near the Vodpora area of Handwara, which claimed the lives of two young female students and left 22 others injured, some of them critically.In a heartfelt statement issued, the Chairman of the Association, Mushtaq Habeeb, said, “Our deepest condolences go to the bereaved families. The entire student community mourns this irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the 23 injured students affected by the tragic Handwara bus accident.

We urge Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured. The Association stands in solidarity with the victims and their families in this hour of grief.”Mushtaq said that, This is an unbearable loss; a bright life full of dreams and promise cut short far too soon. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of both students, their friends, and the entire college community during this unimaginable time of grief.

We stand in solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy and pray for strength and healing for the injured and the bereaved. May their souls rest in eternal peace.What has added to the anguish, the Association noted, is the highly insensitive and exploitative coverage by certain self-styled journalists and social media pages following the accident. “Raw and graphic visuals of the tragedy are being broadcast merely for clicks and clout.

This is a deeply sensitive human tragedy—not a spectacle,” the Association added.Circulating graphic visuals of the deceased and the injured online does not serve to inform; it serves only to sensationalize. All in the name of views, likes, comments, and attention. The victims were someone’s children, siblings, parents, and friends. Their families are already reeling from unimaginable grief. The last thing they need is to see the final moments of their loved ones turned into viral content.

This is not journalism. This is voyeurism, Mushtaq said.Such reckless reporting not only violates fundamental journalistic ethics but also retraumatizes survivors and deepens the agony of bereaved families. The Association also cited the recent Kulangam mother-son incident as a grim reminder of the consequences of irresponsible media behaviour.Issuing its appeal, the Association urged all social media users, influencers, and page administrators to act responsibly.

“Please refrain from sharing or amplifying graphic visuals. Let us not compound the suffering of the victims’ families by stripping them of dignity in death. Let us show empathy. Let us exercise restraint. Let us be sensitive. Let us be humane,” the statement added further.