Vaishno Devi Stampede: Mishap Post-mortems On, PM Says All Relief And Medical Supports Carried Out

Anupama Dash January 1, 2022

62 2 minutes read

JAMMU, Jan 1. 2022: Pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra has resumed after a brief half following the stampede incident. At least 12 people were killed and 15 others injured in the stampede outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine.

“Today at around 2.15am, an unfortunate stampede happened near Gate No 3 at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan,” said official spokesperson, adding, a massive rescue operation was immediately launched by the Shrine Board authorities along with district administration and police.

“The helplines established by the district administration are: PCR Katra 01991-232010/ 9419145182, PCR Reasi 01991245076/ 9622856295; DC Reasi Control Room 01991-245763/ 9419839557,” the spokesperson further informed.

According to an eyewitness of the incident hailing from Ghazibad told media persons, perhaps some had stayed there to offer prayers on the first day of the year while others were allowed to embark on their pilgrimage resulting in a huge rush at the holy shrine.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, however, denied the charge, saying all necessary arrangements were made in view of the expected rush, while DGP Jammu & Kashmir, Dilbagh Singh blamed a minor altercation for the “unfortunate” incident.

”Nothing but mismanagement was the cause for this tragic accident. They were aware about the possible rush but allowed the people in unhindered,” a pilgrim from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh said while waiting outside a mortuary to identify a dead body.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said this situation could have been avoided if the authorities concerned had managed the pilgrimage better.

”A similar situation had happened minutes earlier but luckily none was hurt and the situation was controlled. We were part of a group of 10 devotees – all neighbours. A heavy rush triggered the stampede as people were going in and out, and every one was in a hurry,” he said. Many people were resting on the floor, instead of heading back, and it caused more rush at the bhawan, he added.

Rani Devi of Bihar’s Muzaffarpur said they were fortunate to have escaped death.

”I saw many people dead on the floor and was heartbroken,” she said, blaming it on the ”uncontrolled rush” of pilgrims at the bhawan.

Aditya Sharma, another devotee, said some people who were sleeping on the floor got crushed in the stampede.

Following the incident, many pilgrims were seen leaving Katra, the base camp for the shrine, without paying obeisance.

”We are from Pathankot. We returned from the bhawan without ‘darshan’ due to the stampede,” said another pilgrim. Another pilgrim from Gwalior alleged that there was a complete mess as neither was the number of pilgrims restricted nor were COVID-19 guidelines in force. ”It was a free-for-all-like situation. Many people were without mandatory face masks,” he said. Even claims that police personnel on duty at the X-ray checking point surrendered to the heavy rush and were warning people about the possibility of such an accident.

One official of the Shrine board, who wished not to be named, said adequate arrangements, including security, were in place due to the expected rush of pilgrims.