Should’ve considered weather before allowing Vaishno Devi yatra: Sadhotra

Jammu, Aug 29: National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra has said there should be a fair judicial enquiry into the avoidable tragic deaths of over 30 pilgrims following a landslide on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine route, saying the catastrophe could have been avoided with timely precautionary measures, said a press release.

Expressing shock and anguish over the loss of precious lives, Sadhotra said, “The tragedy is not merely an act of nature but a grim reminder of the administration’s and Shri Mata Vashino Devi Shrine board’s failure to act with foresight.

The Yatra should have been suspended immediately in view of heavy rains and inclement weather warnings. Unfortunately, despite the glaring risks, the flow of pilgrims was not halted. This lapse has cost over 30 lives, leaving families devastated forever.” The National Conference Additional General Secretary said that responsibility must be fixed and accountability enforced at every level.The former minister cautioned against attempts to trivialize or hush up the tragedy under the garb of routine inquiries. He said the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage is among the holiest shrines of India, drawing lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad.