Katra/Jammu. Two women pilgrims were killed and a five-year-old girl was seriously injured on Monday in a landslide on the new route to the Vaishno Devi temple in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Officials said the two women who died in the incident were from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
He said that after the landslide, the movement of pilgrims on the Himkoti route was stopped, but the pilgrimage to the temple located on the Trikuta hills continued through the traditional Sanjichhat route. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha termed the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and expressed grief over the loss of lives and approved an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the bereaved families. Officials said that the deceased have been identified as Sapna (27), a resident of Dhyanpur village of Gurdaspur in Punjab and Neha (23) of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Sinha said in his condolence message, “I am very sad to know about the loss of precious lives of pilgrims due to the unfortunate incident of stone falling on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine road today. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief.” He said, “I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. I have directed the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the District Administration, Reasi to provide all necessary assistance to the affected families as per the rules and ensure the best care of the injured.” Officials said that the landslide occurred on the road at around 2.15 pm near Panchhi, three kilometers before the building. He said that a part of the iron structure built above the road was also damaged in this.
Officials said that the pilgrims going towards the temple got trapped under the iron structure after the landslide. According to officials, the landslide was caused by falling stones due to rain for the last few days. Reasi Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan said that senior police and administration officials have left for the spot. Mahajan also left for Katra, the base camp of Vaishno Devi pilgrims, to take stock of the situation and personally know the condition of the injured girl.
Officials said that disaster management teams of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) immediately reached the spot and started rescue operations. The injured girl – Saanvi, a resident of Kanpur – has been admitted to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital for treatment.
L. Prasad, the grandfather of the injured girl, said they were taking a break from climbing the temple route when the police started clearing the route due to fear of monkeys. “Suddenly there was a landslide and the debris fell on the tin shed, which collapsed,” he said. On New Year’s Day in 2022, 12 pilgrims were killed and 16 others were injured in a stampede at the temple.