Reasi: In a stampede at Jammu and Kashmir’s Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, 12 have died and 14 have been injured. Stampede, the reason of the mishap was prompted by devotees rushing in, in huge numbers, the officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “personally monitoring and keeping track” of the tragic situation, a minister in his office said.
Mukesh Singh, the Additional Director General of Police or ADGP, said that 12 pilgrims have died and 14 are injured. Adding that all the injured have been taken to a hospital.
The incident occurred outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine on Trikuta hills. The stampede broke out when the devotees in huge numbers came to seek blessings, and to mark the beginning of the New Year, entered the Vaishno Devi Bhawan, without permission slips, the officials said.
The police said that rescue operations started immediately and all the injured have been taken to hospitals, where condition of some is stated to be “serious.”
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir shared the helpline numbers of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
“Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sending his “condolences to the bereaved families.”
The Prime Minister’s Office also announced an amount of ₹ 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. The PMO said that the amount would be given to the families of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. The injured would be given ₹ 50,000, the PM’s Office added.
“Deeply pained at the loss of lives due to stampede at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. My condolences to the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured,” the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha said in a tweet from his official account.
He said that he spoke with the Prime Minister and “briefed him about the incident.” He further announced that an amount of Rs10 lakh each would be given to the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede and ₹ 2 lakh to those injured.
He also stated that the shrine board will bear the cost of treatment.
Senior officials and representatives from the shrine board are at the spot.
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