Vaishno Devi stampede: Ex-gratia of Rs 12 lakh for kin of deceased

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and J&K Government have announced a total ex-gratia relief of Rs 12 lakh each to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

"An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra, J&K. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," the PM said.

J&K government too announced ex-gratia relief to the victims.

J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha said Rs 10 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the incident and Rs 2 lakh to the injured.

"The Shrine board will bear the cost of treatment of the injured," he said.

The LG also ordered a high-level inquiry into the tragic accident.

At least 12 people died and 14 others were injured in the stampede at Vaishno Devi shrine. The stampede, according to J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh, occurred at 2:45 am when some argument broke out which resulted in people pushing each other. There was a heavy rush of devotees at the shrine on New Year's Day.

Read:12 dead, 14 injured in stampede at Vaishno Devi shrine; probe ordered