PNS | UTTARKASHI
Some members of a group of youths which had gone on a seven-day trek to the Dayara Bugyal-Goi trek in Uttarkashi district have alleged negligence by the Tourism department official concerned. They have alleged that while some of them were injured and some fell sick, the staff did not provide them proper assistance. On the other hand, the official concerned has rejected the allegations, claiming that some persons with ill-intentions are levelling such allegations. Meanwhile, the issue has reached the district magistrate with action being sought against officials for negligence.
The trek was held from March 1 to 7. One of the trekkers, Bhankoli resident Kalpana Rawat sustained an injury but it is alleged that the district adventure sports officer Mohammed Ali Khan, who was leading the trek, did not have even a first-aid kit. After she sprained her leg, Rawat was reportedly brought down with the help of four other trekkers. The members of the trainee skiing foundation course have written to the Uttarkashi district magistrate levelling allegations against the department officials. They have alleged that the department staff left the injured trekkers on their own without providing any medical assistance. With even a stretcher being unavailable, they questioned what would have happened in case of a serious injury or mishap.
Rawat said that her condition could have worsened had the other trekkers not helped her. The complainants have appealed to the DM to take strict action and to ensure basic safety and medical measures to prevent such incidents in the trekking course in the future. Other members of the trekking group have also raised questions, alleging that safety standards are being ignored in the course being organised by the department. They were not provided proper guidelines and no medical facility was provided either when required. They said that some of the members fell ill during the trek but were not provided even first-aid. A properly trained guide was not available to lead the trek, which enhanced the risk, they alleged.
Meanwhile, Khan has refuted the allegations and told The Pioneer that some ill-intentioned persons are escalating the issue.
