A stampede at the Vaishno Devi Bhawan happened when a large crowd of devotees assembled to mark the start of the New Year, according to the officials.
In a stampede at Jammu and Kashmir’s Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, 12 pilgrims died and over a dozen were injured. During the New Year’s rush of devotees, officials said a “minor altercation among some young boys” had led to the stampede. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “monitoring and keeping an eye on the tragic situation,” a minister in the prime minister’s office said.
Mukesh Singh, the Additional Director General of Police, confirmed 12 pilgrims died and at least 14 were injured in the stampede. All of the injured have been taken to a hospital, he said.
Trikuta hills are the location of the incident, which took place outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered a high-level inquiry into the stampede.
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
According to Dilbag Singh, Jammu, and Kashmir director general of police, preliminary information indicates that the stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine was the result of a minor altercation between some young boys.
Despite the quick response of the police and civil administration, no damage was done by the time the crowd was brought back to order.” he told the Press Trust of India.
According to him, all the injured have been taken to hospitals, where the condition of some of them is described as “serious”.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir shared the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s helpline numbers.
“I am extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offering his condolences to the bereaved families.
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
Prime Minister’s Office has also announced an amount of two lakhs from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. The PMO said that the amount would be given to the families of those who died in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. In addition, the PM’s Office announced that the injured would receive * 50,000.
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