Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 1: Expressing anguish and shock over the unfortunate deaths and injuries to pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi on the occasion of the new year due to a stampede at Bhawan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) termed this tragedy as a failure on the part of the administration.
Party demanded a high level to fix responsibilities on officers who were responsible for the deaths of 12 pilgrims.
"It is not an accident but a man-made tragedy because those at the helm of the affairs are responsible for the first-ever stampede at the holy cave shrine", PDP leaders said a joint statement while shocking over the incident.
"During the last couple of years, common pilgrims are facing hardship due to VIP culture in the shrine. Rooms at the Bhawan and en route of the shrine are usually occupied by relatives, family friends, neighbourers and knowns of the bureaucrats" party observed and regretted that instead of providing facilities to the higher-ups of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board are usually busy in providing protocol to family members of officers.
Party expressed surprise despite COVID protocol how nearly one lakh devotees were allowed to proceed Yatra when Bhawan was already overcrowded with pilgrims.
Authorities claimed to convene several meetings regarding the Covid crisis in J&K but it has to be seen as to how he fixes the responsibility of crowding the place leading to a stampede.
This is the first time in history that such a tragedy occurred at the entrance gate of the cave of Mata Vaishno Devi.
Later a team of PDP leaders led by Choudhary Hamid visited Katra and inquired about the conditions of those injured in the tragedy.
Signatories to the statement namely Choudhary Hamid Vice President, General Secretary Amrik Singh Reen, Additional General Secretary, Rashid Malik, Treasurer Sukhvinder Singh, State Secretary Rajinder Singh Manhas, Satpal Charak, Sohit Sharma, Balbir Singh, Varinder Singh Sonu, Punit Bhat, S Peter, Harmeet Singh, and others. |
