Stampede in Mata Vaishno Devi Temple Complex, 12 killed and 20 injured

Ground Report | New Delhi: Stampede in Mata Vaishno Devi Temple; Twelve people have died and 20 are said to be injured in a stampede on New Year's Day in the premises of Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir. The accident happened outside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple situated on the Trikuta hills.

Stampede in Mata Vaishno Devi Temple

According to news agency ANI, Jammu, and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh has said, "Twelve people have died and many have been injured in the Mata Vaishno Devi temple complex in Katra. The accident happened at 2:45 am. According to initial reports, due to a dispute, people started pushing each other and due to this, a situation of stampede was created.

The medical officer of Katra's Community Health Center, Dr. Gopal Dutt told news agency ANI, "Twelve people have died in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi temple. Those killed are people from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu, and Kashmir. More information is yet to come. The injured have been shifted to Narayana Hospital after rescue.

Expressing grief over the incident, Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha tweeted, "Extremely saddened by the death in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi temple. My condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

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The office of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has tweeted that the Lieutenant Governor has spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has given him full information about the incident and PM Modi has assured full help.

Along with this, Lieutenant Governor Sinha has told that Rs 10 lakh each will be given to the families of those killed in this accident, and Rs 2 lakh will be given to the injured. The Shrine Board will also bear the cost of treatment of the injured.

Sinha has said that he has ordered a high-level inquiry into the stampede incident and the inquiry committee will be headed by the Principal Secretary (Home) which will also have the ADGP.

PM Modi condoled the accident

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the accident. He tweeted and said, "Extremely saddened by the death of people in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Condolences to the bereaved families, may those injured in the accident get well soon. I spoke to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha and inquired about the current situation.

PM Modi has announced a grant of two lakh rupees each from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund to the families of those who died in the stampede and 50 thousand rupees will be given to the injured.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "The stampede accident at Mata Vaishno Devi temple is sad. My condolences to the families of the deceased. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery."

Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "Heart is deeply pained by the tragic accident at Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. In this regard, I have spoken to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha ji. The administration is working continuously to provide treatment to the injured. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident."

Temple at an altitude of 5,200 feet

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is a cave temple at an altitude of 5,200 feet in Reasi district of Jammu. Every year lakhs of devotees reach here. Thousands of devotees gather in the temple of Mata Vaishno Devi on the occasion of New Year. In the year 2021, about 56 lakh devotees had visited the temple of Mata.

The management of this temple is with the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board which also looks after the arrangement of battery car and ropeway services for darshan on Trikuta hills.

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