At least 12 people were murdered and 20 more were injured in a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, according to Indian police.
A massive surge of worshipers at the famous Hindu shrine on the occasion of the New Year sparked the stampede, according to government authorities quoted by the Press Trust of India. The shrine is located in the Trikuta hills, around 50 kilometres from Jammu.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, among others, extended their sadness and sympathies to the victims' families.
The authorities have launched a high-level investigation into the disaster, and Modi has promised ex-gratia to the relatives of those who died in the stampede.
This is the first time the shrine has experienced a stampede. According to sources, the rush was caused by a disagreement between two groups of worshipers at the shrine compound.
A crowd of about 50,000 people had assembled at the venue, which can only accommodate 20,000 people. According to eyewitnesses, the situation worsened after a few police officers used mild lathicharge to manage the situation.
Fifteen inpiduals were injured, 13 of whom were seriously injured, and were transferred to Narayana Super Speciality Hospital. Following therapy, two of the patients were released. So far, eight of the victims have been identified. While one is from Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowshera area, the others are from Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
The event has prompted Sinha to order a high-level investigation. A three-person team has been formed, led by the Principal Secretary Home and included the Divisional Commissioner and Additional DGP of Jammu.
Sinha, who is also the chairperson of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has offered an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the deceased's next of kin and Rs 2 lakh to the injured.
We are heartbroken at the deaths caused by a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. Modi tweeted that he spoke with JK LG Shri @manojsinha_ Ji, Ministers Shri @DrJitendraSingh Ji, and @nityanandraibjp Ji to assess the situation.
Expressing his condolences, Modi said on Saturday: “An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF 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 Rs 50,000.”
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and senior leaders of the party mourned the deaths in the stampede. “The stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi temple is tragic. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter. He also wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Sonia Gandhi too condoled the deaths in the stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said. He hoped that the government would conduct an inquiry and fix responsibility to ensure such incidents do not recur. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
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