Vaishno Devi Stampede: Govt orders high-level probe

New Delhi: A three-member high-level probe has been ordered by the government in the stampede that took place at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra that claimed the lives of 12 people and left 15 others injured early on Saturday morning.

As per an official statement issued by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the team will be headed by the Principal Secretary Home, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu Zone, and Divisional Commissioner of Jammu.

The statement read, “The Government has ordered a high-level probe into this unfortunate incident by a three-member team headed by the Principal Secretary Home, ADGP Jammu Zone & Divisional Commissioner Jammu. Meanwhile, the yatra is continuing in a regulated manner.”

“At around 2:15 am, an unfortunate stampede happened near Gate No. 3 at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Rescue and Evacuation operations were immediately launched by the Shrine Board authorities, District Administration, and Police. A total of 12 pilgrims lost their lives and 15 pilgrims got injured in the incident. 4 injured pilgrims have been discharged so far,” read the statement.

At around 2:15 am, an unfortunate stampede happened near gate no. 3 at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Rescue & evacuation operations were immediately launched by the Shrine Board authorities, District Admin & Police: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2022

As per the Shrine Board’s statement, the dead bodies of the deceased have been shifted to Community Health Centres in Katra for further legal formalities. The injured pilgrims were provided first aid at Medical Unit Bhawan and subsequently shifted to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super Specialty Hospital, Kakryal for specialized treatment.

The Shrine board also announced that the cost of all the treatment will be borne by them.

“For the information of the devotees, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has established a dedicated helpline, which can be approached at Phone No. 01991234804 and 01991234053. The helplines established by the District Administration are, PCR Katra 01991-232010/ 9419145182, PCR Reasi 01991245076/ 9622856295; DC Reasi Control Room 01991-245763/ 9419839557,” it added.

The shrine board established a dedicated helpline, which can be approached at Phone No: 01991234804 & 01991234053

Helplines established by District Admin are:
PCR Katra 01991-232010/ 9419145182, PCR Reasi 01991245076/ 9622856295; DC Reasi Control Room 01991-245763/ 9419839557

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2022

Prime Minister Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured.

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those who died and Rs 2 lakh for the injured.

The cave shrine is situated at an altitude of 5,200 feet in the Reasi district and generally attracts close to a million devotees every year.

The operations of the pilgrimage site are managed by the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, which provides battery car and ropeway services to the pilgrims to reach the top of Trikuta hills for darshan.

Vaishno Devi Yatra has also resumed today after being suspended briefly following the stampede incident.