Vaishno Devi Stampede: Jammu & Kashmir govt asks public to share evidence by January 5

A day after tragic stampede at  Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra, Enquiry Committee set up by Jammu and Kashmir Government on Sunday asked general public to furnish evidence regarding incident. Committee said that evidence can be shared via E-Mail, WhatsApp or landline on or before January 5. Also, those who want to meet in person and share evidence can do so on January 5 between 11 AM to 1 PM in office of Divisional Commissioner at Rail He Complex in Jammu's Panama chowk. 

incident is being probed by a high-level, three-member committee heed by Principal Secretary to Government, Home Department of Jammu and Kashmir. 

general public asked to share evidence 

"It is for information of General Public that any person who desires to furnish any facts, statements, electronic evidence etc. regarding said incident, may share same on email id: divcomjmu-jk@nic.in or Whatsapp No: 09419202723 or Landline No: 0191-2478996 by or before 05-01-2022. Any person who desires to meet in person may appear before said Enquiry Committee in person between 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM on 05-01-2022 in office of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Rail He Complex, Panama Chowk, to furnish any statements/facts/ evidence," Committee stated in a release. 

12 pilgrims lost ir lives while 16 ors were injured as a crowd surge led to a stampede near gate no.3 of popular cave shrine's sanctum sanatorium in Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir on New Year's. 

What happened at Vaishno Devi? Witnesses reveal

Meanwhile, Republic h an exclusive conversation with witnesses of horrific stampede. A youngster who h come to visit shrine with his cousin and was injured in incident, said, "A huge crowd gared at temple site. Police began to lathi-charge to manage crowd, after which chaos unfolded with people running here and re in a bid to escape and ultimately falling on each or." 

Underlining that many lost ir lives in stampede, He said that he somehow managed to get out of stampede in time and also pushed out his cousin, who got bly injured.

Anor injured pilgrim from Delhi informed that  people started running and that caused a stampede like situation. "y were stepping on each or in a bid to escape and save ir lives," he said, underlining that he was accompanied by his wife and kids, who escaped unhurt while he twisted his ankle as someone pushed him from behind. "re was no lathi-charge," he ded. 

PM Modi under Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) has announced ex gratia for families of deceased as well as those injured in incident. 

Image: Republic World