Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister launched a sharp attack on the administration on Tuesday, questioning the role of the Lieutenant Governor-led setup in preventing the recent tragedy that shook the Union Territory. Without directly naming the L-G, the CM said that the incident could have been avoided had the authorities taken timely action.

Addressing a gathering, the CM expressed grief over the loss of lives and said that repeated warnings and signals were ignored by those responsible for maintaining law and order. “We could have saved innocent people if proper measures were taken. Accountability cannot be shifted away from those in power,” the CM said.

The remarks come amid rising anger among residents, who allege that negligence and poor planning by the administration led to the crisis. Opposition parties have also joined the chorus, demanding a probe into the lapses.

Political observers believe this statement marks an escalation in the friction between the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor’s office, which has often been accused of bypassing local leadership in decision-making.

While the CM did not spell out immediate steps, she said that her government will push for a transparent investigation and ensure such incidents are not repeated in the future.