Lieutenant Governor grieves over loss of lives in J&K’s Reasi

Srinagar, Sep 02: Lieutenant Governor J&K Manoj Sinha Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives of the pilgrims due to the unfortunate incident of shooting stones on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine track.

The LG also approved an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to be given to each of the next of kin of the deceased and other assistance, as provided in the rule, to the affected families.

In a condolence message, the Lieutenant Governor said: “Extremely pained to learn about the loss of precious lives of pilgrims due to the unfortunate incident of shooting stones on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine track, today. My deepest condolences to bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the early recovery of the injured. I have directed the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the District Administration Reasi to provide all necessary assistance, as provided in rule, to the affected families and ensure best care for the injured”.

Notably two women pilgrims died while a girl was grievously injured in a landslide on the new track to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, officials said.

The landslide, as per the officials hit the route near Panchi, three kilometres ahead of Bhawan around 2.35 pm. A portion of an overhead iron structure was also damaged, the officials said.