At least 12 pilgrims were killed and 16 were injured in a stampede at Jammu and Kashmir's Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Saturday, 1 January 2022.
According to officials, the stampede was triggered by the heavy influx of devotees on New Year's, and occurred outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Raghav Langer, issued a public notice regarding the incident that stated that any person who wanted to furnish facts, statements, or electronic evidence could share the details.
J&K LG Manoj Sinha said that the 16 injured persons were rushed to the hospital, out of which nine have been discharged. The remaining are still hospitalised, and some of them are on ventilator support.
Visiting the stampede site with DGP Dilbag Singh in Katra, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that they would hold a discussion with the officials of the Vaishno Devi Trust, and would "limit the number of devotees going for the yatra and ask them to cooperate."
Probe Ordered, Panel to Submit Report in a Week
J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that a high-level inquiry had been ordered into the stampede.
A government order stated that a three-member committee, headed by Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department, J&K, had been constituted to ascertain the reasons behind the incident.
J&K Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta said that all the required help was being provided and arrangements were being made. He reiterated that an inquiry was underway, reported ANI.
The three-member panel has been asked to submit its report to the Jammu and Kashmir government within a week, reported PTI.
In an order, General Administration Department Principal Secretary Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said that the high-level panel, headed by the principal secretary (Home), had been set up to investigate the reasons behind the incident.
‘Scuffle Between Two Groups Caused Stampede'
Amid allegations of mismanagement, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) issued a statement emphasising that only 35,000 pilgrims were allowed to proceed to the yatra against the normal capacity of 50,000, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It said that the stampede occurred at around 2:15 am on Saturday near gate number three at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan.
"The unfortunate incident, due to a scuffle between two groups of pilgrims, resulted in the stampede. In this ill-fated incident, a total of 12 pilgrims lost their lives and 16 others were injured," it said.
The yatra is currently going on smoothly, in adherence to COVID protocols, it added.
Ex Gratia of Rs 2 Lakh to Next of Kin of Victims: PMO
The Prime Minister's Office announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of those who had lost their lives in the stampede. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, it said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and said that he was taking stock of the situation.
"Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to JK LG Shri @manojsinha_ Ji, Ministers Shri @DrJitendraSingh Ji, @nityanandraibjp Ji and took stock of the situation," he said in a tweet.
President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
"Very distressed to know that an unfortunate stampede claimed lives of devotees at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery to those injured," a tweet posted on the President's Twitter account said.
The office of the J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in a tweet from his official account, said that he had spoken with the PM and had "briefed him about the situation."
The LG further announced than an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the stampede and Rs 2 lakh to the injured. He added that the shrine's board will bear the cost of treatment of the injured persons.
The LG's office also posted dedicated helpline numbers for those seeking information.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Helpline numbers:
01991-234804
01991-234053
Other Helpline nos:
PCR Katra 01991232010/ 9419145182
PCR Reasi 0199145076/ 9622856295
DC Office Reasi Control room
01991245763/ 9419839557
The Divisional Commissioner's notice shared numbers for people to reach out to, in case they wanted to furnish facts, statements, electronic evidence, etc.:
Email id - divcomjmujk@nic.in
WhatsApp number - 09419202723
Landline number - 0191-2478996
(With inputs from ANI and PTI.)
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