Twelve people were killed and 14 injured on Saturday in a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
Officials of the shrine said the stampede occurred when a large number of devotees entered the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan without permission slips.
“Large number of devotees had come to pay obeisance at the shrine to mark the new year. The stampede occurred around 2.45 a.m. today.
“It took place outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. Senior officials of the government and the shrine board are on the spot.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the relief and rescue operation,” officials said.
“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”, Modi said on his official Twitter handle.
The Prime Minister’s Office also announced an amount of Rs 2 lakh each for the dead 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. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, the PM’s Office added.
Amit Shah speaks to J&K LG over stampede at Vaishno Devi shrine
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha over the Vaishno Devi stampede which claimed at least 12 lives.
The LG reported that the administration is providing treatment and medical aid to the injured.
Sinha also informed that a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The inquiry committee will be headed by Principal Secretary(Home) with Additional Director General of Police, Jammu and Divisional Commissioner of Jammu as members.
At least 12 people were killed and around 20 others injured in the stampede.
Shah, expressing grief and anguish over the stampede, said that he was deeply pained by the tragic accident at Vaishno Devi temple. “I have spoken to the Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha. The Administration is working continuously to provide treatment to the injured. I also express my condolences to the families whose kin lost their life in this stampede”, Shah tweeted.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said that he is immediately rushing to Katra to take stock of the situation at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. “I look forward toA have a detail discussion with the administration and report it back to Hon’ble PM@NarendraModi,” he tweeted.