The stampede took place outside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple located on the Trikuta hills. temple at area, about 45km from Jammu, is open round the clock for the devotees.
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.
A tweet from the official handle of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha read, “The inquiry committee will be headed by Principal Secretary (Home) with ADGP, Jammu and Divisional Commissioner as members.”
“A stampede broke out due to the huge crowd of devotees who came to pay their respects on the occasion of the beginning of the new year,” officials said.
Senior officials and representatives of the shrine board are on the spot.
An administrative official said there was a drop in travel in Punjab last week due to suspension of trains in the wake of farmers’ protests, but with the resumption of trains, there was a heavy influx of pilgrims in Katra, especially on New Year’s Eve. The crowd gathered. Cave shrine.
“Especially on New Year’s Eve, pilgrims flocked to the building to offer prayers at the cave temple and have darshan of the ‘natural bodies’, causing huge crowds and chaos,” he said.
The injured have been taken to various hospitals including Mata Vaishno Devi Narayan Superspeciality Hospital and condition of several injured is stated to be ‘critical’.
Officials said the identity of the dead is yet to be ascertained.
Deeply saddened by the death of people in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Condolences to the bereaved… https://t.co/5rPEMorwTX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1641000909000
Manoj Sinha tweeted, “Spoke to PM Shri Narendra Modi. Informed him about the incident. PM has assured all possible help.”
The LG also spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah and informed him about the incident.
The office tweeted, “An ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each will be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the stampede and Rs 2 lakh to the injured. The Shrine Board will bear the cost of treatment of the injured.” Lieutenant Governor.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh, sharing a brief description of the tragedy, said, “12 killed, 13 injured in the stampede. Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra”.
He tweeted, “The incident happened around 2.45 pm and as per initial reports, an argument broke out which resulted in people pushing each other.”
DGP Mr Singh further tweeted that immediately after the stampede was reported, the J&K Police launched a rescue operation.
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. 50-50 thousand will be given to the injured.
Ex-gratia amount of Rs. Two lakh each will be given by PMNRF to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to T… https://t.co/xUPMV7legF.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1641001339000
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured in the accident.
There is a stampede pain in Maa Vaishnodevi temple. Coming soon… https://t.co/7CQ5eOGjcu
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) 164001744000
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that he is deeply saddened 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.
The nature of Vaishno Devi also has the same electricity. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Mr.… https://t.co/6F57qYLkMT
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) 1641002095000
“Deeply saddened by the tragic accident at Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. In this regard, I have spoken to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha. The administration is working relentlessly for the treatment of the injured. I express my condolences to those families. Those who lost their lives in this accident,” Mr Shah tweeted in Hindi.
10 lakh each to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the stampede and… https://t.co/xGCobMjRYJ
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) 1641002342000
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured all possible help to the state government.
helpline started
The government has started a helpline to help.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Helpline Number: 01991-23480401991-234053 Other Helpline Number: PCR Katra 01991232… https://t.co/InPl7bXd2t
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) 1641004238000
Dr Jitendra Singh also tweeted, “PM Shri @narendramodi is personally monitoring & tracking the tragic situation arising out of stampede at Mata #VaishnoDevi Temple.”
PM Shri @narendramodi is personally monitoring & tracking the tragic situation arising out of the stampede on M… https://t.co/9hOLEE3JtE.
— Dr. Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) 164099976000
“PM has expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and issued directions to provide all possible medical aid and assistance to the injured. He will personally monitor and track the tragic situation arising out of the stampede at Mata #VaishnoDevi Temple. PM has expressed his sympathies to the bereaved families and issued instructions to provide all possible medical aid and assistance to the injured,” he added on his official Twitter handle.
Watch 12 killed in stampede in Vaishno Devi
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