Twelve people were killed and 16 injured in a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan near Katra on Saturday morning. Director-General of Police Dilbagh Singh said that the incident occurred around 2:45 a.m. Out of 16 injured admitted to Hospital, nine have been discharged after treatment and seven are undergoing further treatment by the doctors.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said in a tweet that he spoke to the Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed him about the incident. A high-level inquiry has been ordered into today’s stampede. The Inquiry Committee will be headed by Principal Secretary (Home) with ADGP, Jammu, and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu as members.
Meanwhile, all the deceased have been identified. Ten dead bodies have been dispatched to their respective hometowns and the remaining two will be sent tomorrow morning. Mr Sinha said, he has been monitoring the situation from wee hours. He said, he visited the hospital to meet the injured pilgrims. He said in a tweet that according to doctors, the injured are stable and being monitored by senior health staff. He directed Doctors and Senior Administrative Officials to provide the best possible care to the patients. He said, he is praying for their speedy recovery. Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh reached Bhawan to take first-hand information.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the tragic incident at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur have also expressed grief over the loss of lives at Vaishno Devi Bhawan.
An ex-gratia of two lakh rupees each from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund 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 50 thousand rupees.