Srinagar, Nov 19: In the wake of rising road accidents involving minors, including a tragic incident claiming two teenage lives, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) convened a high-level stakeholder meeting today at its Srinagar office. The gathering brought together top government officials, educational institutions, and civil society members to strategize on curbing juvenile driving.
Presided over by KCCI President Javed Ahmad Tenga, the meeting included Divisional Commissioner Kashmir V.K. Bidhuri, SSP Srinagar Imtiyaz Hussain, SSP Traffic Muzaffar Shah, school management representatives, parent associations, and other stakeholders.
Participants reached a consensus on the critical need for parental responsibility in preventing minors from operating vehicles without valid licenses. The meeting also emphasized a coordinated approach to enforce traffic regulations and raise public awareness.
Javed Ahmad Tenga underscored KCCI’s role in promoting public safety, stating, *”We must collectively ensure that no precious lives are lost due to preventable accidents. KCCI is committed to raising awareness among parents and students to curb underage driving.”*
Divisional Commissioner V.K. Bidhuri highlighted proactive measures, revealing that schools had been directed to prevent students from commuting in unauthorized vehicles. *”An aggressive awareness and enforcement campaign is underway, but parents must ensure their wards do not operate vehicles without proper authorization,”* he said.
SSP Srinagar Imtiyaz Hussain warned of legal action against parents enabling underage driving, labeling it as abetment to crime. SSP Traffic Muzaffar Shah reinforced the need for strict enforcement of juvenile driving regulations, stressing the moral obligation of all stakeholders.
The meeting proposed comprehensive guidelines for schools, prohibiting students from using personal vehicles without valid documentation. Extensive awareness campaigns targeting parents and students were also discussed.
The event concluded with a unified pledge to implement immediate measures, establish accountability, and strengthen collaboration between law enforcement, educational institutions, and the community to ensure safer roads for all.
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