Lagatar24 Desk
Jammu, Jan 1: 12 pilgrims lost their lives and 15 others were injured in a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials reported today that a large influx of devotees prompted the disaster.
The incident happened outside the shrine’s sanctum sanctorum on the Trikuta hills. Manoj Sinha, the Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, announced that a high-level investigation into the stampede has been ordered.
The stampede began when a large crowd of devotees entered the Vaishno Devi Bhawan to pay their homage to commemorate the start of the New Year, according to officials. “Large groups of devotees reportedly entered the Bhawan without permission slips,” they added.
Rescue operations began immediately after the incident and all of the injured were brought to hospitals, where their conditions were described as “severe.”
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir shared the helpline numbers of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Helpline nos:
01991-234804
01991-234053Other Helpline nos:
PCR Katra 01991232010/ 9419145182
PCR Reasi 0199145076/ 9622856295
DC Office Reasi Control room
01991245763/ 9419839557— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) January 1, 2022
He further announced that an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakhs each would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the stampede. The injured will be provide Rs. 2 lakh each for treatment.
Ex-gratia of Rs.10 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to stampede and Rs.2 lakh to injured. Shrine board to bear the cost of treatment of injured.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) January 1, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims through Twitter.
“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,” he tweeted.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 1, 2022
The Prime Minister’s Office also announced an amount of Rs. 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.
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: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 1, 2022
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office said that PM Narendra Modi is “personally monitoring and keeping track of the tragic situation arising out of stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.”
