Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Sept 2: Landslide on the new track to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine claimed lives of two women pilgrims and injuries to a six -year old girl, here this afternoon.
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Superintendent of Police, Katra, Vipan Chandran told the Excelsior the landslide hit the route near Panchi Colony Himkoti, three kilometres ahead of Bhawan, around 1:45 pm resulting into death of two women pilgrims and injuries to a minor girl.
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A massive boulder along with landslide debris fell on overhead tin shed smashing the iron structure. One of the deceased female pilgrims got trapped under the iron structure following the landslide and died on the spot.
The force of the boulder and shooting stone also damaged the track’s railing leading to severe injuries to another female pilgrim and a minor girl. While the female pilgrim soon succumbed to her injuries, the girl was rushed to hospital and her condition was stated to be stable.
The deceased were identified as Sapna (30) wife of Amit Kumar, resident of Dhianpur village in Punjab’s Gurdaspur, and Neha Kumari(25), wife of Amit Kumar, resident of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The six-year old injured girl – Sanvi, daughter of Rakesh, resident of Kanpur — was admitted to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital for treatment.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also Chairman of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has expressed grief over the loss of lives of the pilgrims due to the unfortunate incident of shooting stones on the track. He has 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.
The landslide was caused by shooting stones in the wake of rainfall over the past few days. Movement of pilgrims on the Himkoti track was halted following the landslide, but the pilgrimage to the shrine atop Trikuta hills continued through the traditional Sanjichhat route, official said.
Following the tragic incident, senior police and civil administration officers along with Disaster Management teams of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) immediately reached the spot and launched a rescue operation.
Deputy Commissioner of Reasi, Vishesh Paul Mahajan also left for Katra — the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrims — to take stock of the situation.
According to L Prasad, grandfather of the injured girl, they were taking a break from trekking to the shrine when police started clearing the track due to a monkey scare. “Suddenly, there was a landslide and the debris fell on the tin shed which collapsed,” he said.
The victim pilgrims were on way back after paying obeisance at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine when the tragedy struck.
Pertinent to mention that landslides are a common phenomenon in hilly areas during rainy season. Only two months back, a similar landslide had taken place on Mata Vaishno Devi track resulting into injuries to a few pilgrims.
To protect, treat and stabilize around three dozen sites on Trikuta Hills, which were identified as most vulnerable landslide and stone falling areas on Katra-Mata Vaishno Devi track, the Shrine Board had also undertaken Slope Stabilization Project for safety of the pilgrims.
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