Jammu: 12 dead in stampede at Vaishno Devi; rescue operations under way

At least 12 people died in a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of J&K on Saturday early morning.

The stampede occurred outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine atop Trikuta hills. The shrine at Katra, about 45km from Jammu, is open for devotees round the clock.

Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has ordered a high level inquiry into the incident.
“The inquiry committee will be headed by principal secretary (Home) with ADGP, Jammu and divisional commissioner as members” a tweet from the official handle of Lt governor Manoj Sinha read.
“The stampede was triggered by a heavy rush of devotees who have come to pay their obeisance to mark the beginning of the New Year,” the officials said.
Senior officials and shrine board representatives are at the spot. An administrative official said that last week due to suspension of trains in view of farmers protest in Punjab, the yatra had declined but with resumption of trains, suddenly there was a huge rush of pilgrims at Katra especially on New Year’s Eve to pay obeisance at the Cave Shrine.
“To offer prayers and have darshan of ‘natural pindies’ in the cave shrine especially on New Year, the pilgrims rushed to the Bhawan that led to huge rush and chaos,” they said.
The injured have been taken to various hospitals, including Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital and the condition of many of the injured is said to be ‘serious’.
Officials said that identities of the deceased were yet to be ascertained.

Spoke to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Briefed him about the incident. Prime Minister has assured all the help,” Manoj Sinha tweeted.
The LG also spoke to home minister Amit Shah and briefed him about the incident.
“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 those injured. Shrine board to bear the cost of treatment of injured,” tweeted the office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Meanwhile J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh sharing brief details of the tragedy said, “12 dead, 13 injured in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra”.
He tweeted, “The incident occurred around 2.45am, and as per initial reports, an argument broke out which resulted in people pushing each other.”
DGP Mr Singh further tweeted that Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a rescue operation soon after the stampede was reported.
Condoling the deaths, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each 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.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also condoled the deaths of prayed for fast recovery of those injured in the incident.

Union home minister Amit Shah said he was deeply pained by the tragic accident at Mata Vaishno Devi temple and spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha who assured that the administration is providing treatment to the injured.

“Deeply pained by the tragic accident at Mata Vaishno Devi temple. In this regard, I have spoken to Lieutenant Governor of J&K Shri 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,” Mr Shah tweeted in Hindi.

Union home minister Amit Shah assured every possible help to the state government.

Government has launched a helpline for assistance.

Dr Jitendra Singh also tweeted, “PM Sh @narendramodi is personally monitoring and keeping track of the tragic situation arising out of stampede at Mata #VaishnoDevi shrine.”

PM has conveyed his sympathies to bereaved families and issued instructions to provide all possible medical aid & assistance to the injured. He is personally monitoring and keeping track of the tragic situation arising out of stampede at Mata #VaishnoDevi shrine. PM has conveyed his sympathies to bereaved families and issued instructions to provide all possible medical aid & assistance to the injured,” he added on his official twitter handle.