Prez, VP, PM, others express grief over loss of lives in stampede at Vaishno Devi Shrine
New Delhi, Jan 1 : President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
In a tweet, the President said, “Very distressed to know that an unfortunate stampede claimed lives of devotees at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery to those injured.”
“Saddened by the tragic incident at Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. I express my condolences to the bereaved families,” the Vice-President tweeted.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives, the PM announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to the next of kin who lost their loved ones and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
“Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to J&K LG Manoj Sinha Ji, Ministers Jitendra Singh Ji, Nityanand Rai Ji and took stock of the situation,” Modi said in a tweet.
In another tweet, the PM wrote, ‘An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF(Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) 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.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet wrote, “Deeply pained by the tragic incident at Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. Spoke to Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha Ji. I express my condolences to the bereaved families.”
BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda, in a tweet, wrote, “The news of loss of lives in the tragic incident at Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is heart-wrenching. Local administration and BJP administration are engaged in rescue works. My condolences to the bereaved families, and I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to twitter and wrote: “The tragic incident at Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is deeply saddening. My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”
At least 12 pilgrims were killed and 13 others were injured early Saturday morning in a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra town.