The unfortunate incident, due to a scuffle between two groups of pilgrims, resulted in the stampede. In this ill-fated incident, a total of 12 pilgrims lost their lives and 16 others were injured.
The Shrine Board Administration as well as District Administration Reasi, taking prompt action, shifted the injured pilgrims immediately to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Kakryal, after providing first aid at Medical Unit Bhawan, for specialized treatment.
The bodies of the deceased, which include 10 males & 02 female pilgrims, were shifted to CHC Katra for identification and further legal formalities.
Of the 12 deceased pilgrims, two have been shifted by Air and nine by Road to their native destinations by the Shrine Board Administration with the assistance of UT Administration. The lone left-out dead body will be shifted tomorrow morning by Air from GMC, Jammu.
Amongst the injured, who were hospitalized at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Hospital, Kakryal, 09 have been discharged, whereas 07 pilgrims are still under treatment there. It is pertinent to mention here that the National Green Tribunal has capped the normal capacity of Yatra per day to 50000. Pertinently, keeping in view the COVID-19 Pandemic, 35000 pilgrims were allowed to proceed for yatra on 31st December 2021 and for 1st Jan. 2022.
Shri Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, was informed about the incident at 3:00 am and since then he has been continuously monitoring the situation.
The Lt Governor has extended his condolences over the loss of lives due to the tragic incident and also constituted an inquiry committee headed by Principal Secretary (Home) to probe into the incident.
"Deeply pained at the loss of lives due to stampede at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. My condolences to the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured. Spoke to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. Briefed him about the incident. The Hon'ble Prime Minister has assured all the help. Ex-gratia of Rs.10 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to stampede and Rs.2 lakh to injured. Shrine Board to bear the cost of treatment of injured. 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," Lieutenant Governor had tweeted.
Later, the Lieutenant Governor visited Narayana Superspecialty hospital to meet the injured pilgrims.
"Visited Narayana Superspeciality hospital to meet injured pilgrims. According to doctors, they are stable & being monitored by senior health staff. Directed Doctors & senior admin officials to provide the best possible care to the patients. Out of 16 injured brought to Narayana Hospital, 9 have been discharged and 7 are being treated by the doctors. Praying for their speedy recovery," Lieutenant Governor said in a tweet.
The Lieutenant Governor has already announced an ex-gratia relief amounting to Rs. 10 Lakhs to the next of kin of the pilgrims who have lost their lives in this tragic incident. Also, relief of Rs. 02 Lakh has been announced for the injured pilgrims.
As an immediate response and for the information of the devotees, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has established a dedicated helpline, which can be approached at Phone No. 01991-234804 and 01991-234053. The Help-Lines established by the District Administration are:- DC Reasi Control Room: 01991- 245763/9419839557, PCR Katra: 01991-232010/9419145182, and PCR Reasi: 01991245076/9622856295
