At least several people were killed and many others injured after a passenger bus rolled down a hill in Udhampur district on Monday, officials said.

The accident occurred in the Ramnagar area when the vehicle lost control while negotiating a sharp curve and plunged into a deep gorge. Initial reports suggest the bus was carrying passengers from a remote village towards Udhampur town.

According to officials, multiple casualties have been reported, while several injured passengers have been rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals. Many of the injured are said to be in serious condition.

Local residents were among the first to reach the accident site and began rescue efforts before police and emergency teams arrived. Authorities later joined the operation, evacuating victims and clearing the wreckage.

Rescue teams are continuing operations at the site, and arrangements are being made to provide advanced medical care to critically injured passengers. In some cases, efforts are underway to shift seriously injured victims for specialised treatment.

Officials are yet to confirm the exact cause of the accident, though preliminary information indicates that the bus may have lost control on a difficult stretch of the hilly road.

The incident has once again raised concerns over road safety in mountainous regions, where narrow roads and sharp turns often pose significant risks.

TMC alleges PM’s unscheduled halt in Jhargram disrupted opposition campaign, says Bengal “will remember”

The Trinamool Congress on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his brief halt to eat jhalmuri during a campaign visit in Jhargram, claiming the move disrupted opposition leaders’ schedules.

The party alleged that the Prime Minister’s extended stay in the area led to Hemant Soren being unable to complete his planned campaign programme in the state. According to the TMC, the Jharkhand Chief Minister and his wife were eventually forced to return to Ranchi without addressing scheduled events.

The controversy stems from an unscheduled stop made by the Prime Minister during a busy day of campaigning ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. Modi was seen interacting with a street vendor and having jhalmuri, a popular local snack, during his visit.

TMC claimed that due to the Prime Minister’s presence and the extension of his schedule, necessary clearances were not granted for Soren’s helicopter to land in the region. The party said the leaders were kept waiting for hours before being compelled to return, calling the situation a reflection of disregard for elected representatives.

In its criticism, the party said the incident would not be forgotten by voters, remarking that “Bengal will remember,” as campaigning intensifies ahead of polling.

The episode has added to the political tensions in the state, where campaigning has intensified with multiple parties targeting each other over governance and electoral conduct. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister had shared visuals of his stop, describing it as a brief pause between multiple rallies during a packed campaign schedule.

Portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines open amid rituals and chants, marking the start of the annual pilgrimage season

The annual Char Dham Yatra commenced on Sunday with the opening of the portals of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarakhand, signalling the start of one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages.

The temple doors were opened on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya after remaining closed during the winter months. The Gangotri shrine opened at around 12:15 pm, followed by the Yamunotri temple at approximately 12:35 pm, accompanied by traditional rituals and the chanting of Vedic hymns.

A large number of devotees gathered at both shrines to witness the ceremonial opening and offer prayers. The occasion was marked by religious fervour, with pilgrims raising devotional slogans as the temples reopened for the public after nearly six months.

The Char Dham Yatra, which holds immense spiritual significance, attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year to the Himalayan shrines of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The opening of these first two temples traditionally marks the beginning of the pilgrimage season.

The pilgrimage will continue in phases, with the Kedarnath temple scheduled to open on April 22, followed by the Badrinath temple on April 23, completing the Char Dham circuit for devotees this season.

Authorities have made arrangements for the smooth conduct of the yatra, including security deployment and essential facilities for pilgrims along the routes.