Nepal Quake: Father-son duo of Jammu hamlet killed

JAMMU: It was a gloomy sight in sprawling border hamlet in Jammu district as news of recovery of the bodies of hotelier father-son duo reached the village after they went missing following a massive earthquake in Nepal.

Sujaan Singh and his son Parminder Singh went missing after the strong earthquake measuring 7.9 on Richter scale struck the Himalayan nation yesterday. Their bodies were recovered this morning, family members said.

The family of the deceased and locals urged the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister of State, PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh for facilitating bringing the bodies back to their home in Jammu.

Numerous people rushed to support the family and mourn the demise of the duo as the news spread in the border belt of Simbal-Link road area of Miran Sahib this morning.

The family was seen bitterly weeping over the loss of the duo, who were also the breadwinners of the family.

"We have lost the breadearners of the family. They went missing after the quake in Nepal and their bodies have been recovered today. We have got information," deceased Sujaan Singh's younger brother Manjeet Singh told PTI.

Manjeet, who was also working with his brother at their hotel for the past 30 to 35 years in Nepal, said "We want the Union government to facilitate bringing back the bodies of our kin. We want the prime minister and Dr Jitendra Singh to intervene and get the bodies back from Nepal.

"We had talked to them only on Friday morning. They were supposed to come to attend the wedding ceremony of my daughter next month, but now they will never be able to attend it," Singh said.

He further elaborated, "After the quake hit Nepal, they were trapped under the debris of a tower yesterday and the bodies were recovered today along with 11 others."

The family is trying to get in touch with the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Ajeet Kumar Sahu told PTI that they are going to take up the issue with the Centre to facilitate return of the bodies.

"I am sending officers to their house to facilitate coordination," he said.

Harpal Singh, a neighbour, said the government should immediately come forward to help the family.

Nepal was struck by the worst earthquake in 80 years yesterday, leaving a trail of death and destruction. The temblor which killed over 2,000 people, was followed by 16 aftershocks.