Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan today expressed deep pain and anguish over the tragedy that struck on new year eve here at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine resulting in loss of lives of 12 pilgrims and injuring 14 others in a stampede.
Advisor conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the fast recovery of the injured.
Significant to mention here that the stampede was triggered by a massive rush of devotees on the occasion of New Year at the shrine. The incident occurred around 2: 45 am in the midnight, when large number of devotees queued to have Darshan of sanctum sanctorum inside the cave shrine on Trikuta hills in Katra.
The Advisor further said that government has decided to provide 10 lakh to the family of deceased and 2 lakh to those injured in this accident. The injured are being provided all assistance and treatment by the Shri Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Meanwhile, after the incident Jammu and Kashmir government swung into action and launched rescue operation at the site of the incident.