SRINAGAR: A high-level probe has been ordered into the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine that left 12 dead and several injured.
“The Inquiry Committee will be headed by Principal Secretary (Home) with ADGP, Jammu and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu as members,” said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Sinha spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed them about the incident.
“Spoke to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. Briefed him about the incident. Hon’ble Prime Minister has assured all the help….Spoke to Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji. Briefed him about the incident. A high-level inquiry has been ordered into today’s stampede,” he said.
PM Modi said he was extremely saddened by the loss of lives 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 tweeted.
Union home minister Amit Shah said he was spoken to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. “The administration is working continuously to provide treatment to the injured. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident,” he tweeted.
Massive rescue and relief operations have been launched at the shrine. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has set up helplines for people.
People can contact on 01991-234804 01991-234053. Other Helpline nos are PCR Katra 01991232010/ 9419145182 PCR Reasi 0199145076/ 9622856295 DC Office Reasi Control room 01991245763/ 9419839557.
The government has also announced ex-gratia of Rs.10 lakh for the next of kin of those who lost their lives and Rs.2 lakh to injured. “Shrine board to bear the cost of treatment of injured,” Sinha said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too announced ex gratia relief from the central government. “An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” he said
At least 12 people, most of them devotees, died and over a dozen others were injured in a stampede at Jammu Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The stampede was triggered by a massive rush of devotees who had thronged to the shrine on a new year.
They said a large number of devotees had gathered at the shrine to pay their obeisance to mark the new year.
Official sources say a large number of devotees entered the Vaishno Devi Bhawan without permission slips.
They confirmed the death of 12 devotees adding over a dozen pilgrims are injured and have been shifted to hospital.
