There is a tragic news pouring in about twelve pilgrims having died at Vaishno Devi shrine at 2.45 AM after an argument and subsequent quarrel took place between two groups resulting in stampede leading to 12 deaths and several being injured. The injured pilgrims some may be serious has been admitted in Narayan hospital with president Ram Nath Kovind , prime minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, union minister Jitendra Singh and Lt governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha expressing their serious concern, shock and deepest condolences. The J & K LG Manoj Sinha has announced an ex gratia of Rs. 10 lakh to the bereaved families of the deceased and Rs. 2 lakh to each of the injured.
In a tweet President Ram Nath Kovind wrote : Very distressed to know that an unfortunate stampede claimed lives of devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery to those injured tweeted President Kovind.
Prime minister Narendra Modi’s office sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs two lakh to each of the deceased’s bereaved families and Rs 50000 to the each of the injured.
In a tweet PM Narendra Modi wrote : 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, Minister Dhri@DrJitendraSingh Ji, @nityanandraibjp Ji and took stock of the situation tweeted prime minister.
The union home minister Amit Shah tweeted :
My heart is deeply anguished after hearing the sad news about the shocking incident at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. I have spoken to the JK LG Manoj Sinha ji. The administration is incessantly working to provide relief to the injured. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families of those who succumbed to this stampede tweeted Smit Shah, HM.
Meanwhile, the Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has reached the incident site, Mata Vaishno Devi temple to supervise the relief operations etc.
According to ANI tweet Dr. Jitendra Singh wrote that ge is in way to Katra, Jammu and PM has issued all instructions to the police officials and district administration to effectively carry out the immediate relief operations and best medical treatment to the injureds.
It may be recalled that there were thousands of devotees at the Vaishno Devi Shrine when this tragedy occured as on the eve of the new year everybody wanted to pay obeisance to Lord dirty for their bright, prosperous and enlightened future and good health. The rush was uncontrollable and according to some of the eye witnesses the situation was out if control with the local police and administration having failed to cope with the situation.
According to an eye witness when the quarrel between two groups occured leading to the stampede the police allegedly pushed people n even used lathis. There was no follow up of Covid 19 protocol nor verification of the pilgrims whether they were inoculated with Covid doses etc. Though the Yatra has resumed now, but after hearing the tragic news lot of the pilgrims have returned back from half of the way fearing risk to their lives as the rush, being the first day of the new year is tremendous with pilgrims rubbing shoulders with each other as per the visuals being exhibited by various television channels.
It is very pathetic and unfortunate.
Is it and accident, coincidence or designed fault play??? Our intelligence should be able to assess and apprehend the culprits.
We look forward to hearing the invention report.