Vaishno Devi stampede: Centre in constant touch with JK administration, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the Central Government is in constant touch with the Jammu and Kashmir administration over the stampede incident at the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra, Jammu, and Kashmir that took place early this morning, resulting in the death of at least 12 persons.

Speaking at the release of the 10th installment of financial benefit under PM-KISAN, the Prime Minister said, "I express my condolences on the tragic accident in Mata Vaishno Devi Complex. My sympathies are with those who have lost their loved ones in the stampede, those who have been injured."

"The Central Government is in constant touch with the Jammu and Kashmir administration. I have spoken to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Full care is being taken for the relief work, the treatment of the injured," he added.

As per the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board's statement at around 2:15 am, the stampede occurred near Gate No. 3 at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan, in which 12 pilgrims lost their lives and 15 pilgrims were injured. Four have been discharged so far from hospital.

According to Jammu and Kashmir's Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh, an argument broke out which resulted in people pushing each other, followed by a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine early on Saturday morning.

The injured pilgrims were provided with the first aid at Medical Unit Bhawan and subsequently shifted to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super Specialty Hospital, Kakryal for specialised treatment.

Dr JP Singh, Neurosurgeon, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, said that of all the 15 injured people four were admitted to ICU.

The dead bodies of the deceased have been shifted to Community Health Centres in Katra for further legal formalities.

A three-member high-level team has been ordered by the government to probe the stampede.

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.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives 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 resumed today after being suspended briefly following the stampede incident.

(ANI)