Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 22: Four people were killed while another was seriously injured after a cylinder blast in a langar (community kitchen) on Baltal Dumel track, the base camp of Swami Amarnath annual pilgrimage today.
According to police, four youth including two Sewadars of community kitchen and two yatris died on the spot while another received grievous injuries and yet another was rendered unconscious after a gas cylinder blast in Shri Shiv Shakti Sewa Mandal a community kitchen run by some volunteers from Punjab to provide free services to Amarnath pilgrims at wee hours today.
All the four were blown to pieces and it was difficult for the authorities to recognize them. The entire community kitchen was razed to ground by the blast and immediately fire tenders were pressed in service to control the blaze and prevent the fire from spreading into adjoining langars, police added.
Police said panic gripped entire Baltal area after the blast and people ran helter- skater as the blast created a deafening sound. As the community kitchen was situated on the holy cave track near Dumel the movement of the yatra was stopped for about 15 minutes, police added.
Police however said later the yatra proceeded smoothly to holy cave. One seriously injured person was shifted to Sher-e-Kashmir- Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura for treatment where his condition is stated to be critical while another person who was rendered unconscious due to impact and deafening sound of blast was discharged from hospital after regaining his consciousness, police added.
The dead yatris were identified as Sandeep, age 25, S/o Tarseem of Bereta Mansar, Punjab and Gurdeep Singh, age 20 S/o Baldev Singh also of the same village in Punjab. Both Sandeep and Gurdeep had returned from darshan at holy cave and they were the relatives of Sewadars in the community kitchen where they had taken shelter for the night.
The dead Sewadars were identified as Babu Singh age 21 years of Mahore Mandi Bhatinda, Punjab and Yadvender Singh age 22, both sons of Najar Singh also of Mahore Mandi Bhatinda Punjab.
The seriously injured Sewadar has been identified as Manjit Singh of Mahore Mandi , Bhatinda Punjab and another Sewadar who became unconscious was identified as Jasvir Singh.
The dead bodies have been taken to Sonamarg Hospital where from they will be handed over to their relatives tomorrow for last rites, police said.
The police while ruling out any sabotage said it was a cylinder blast which took place due to negligence.
Police said soon after the blast the fire engulfed the community kitchen but with the hard efforts of fire services men the fire was brought under control and the adjoining community kitchens were saved. The police has also registered a case in this regard.
Police said the yatra proceeded smoothly later during the day.
On receiving the information about the incident, Governor, N N Vohra who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs one lakh in favour of the next kin of deceased.
The Governor also directed that all expenditures incurred on the transportation of the dead bodies to their native places for their cremation would be borne by SASB. Besides, the injured will also be provided all treatment by the Board. With the death of these four persons, the toll during this year’s Yatra has mounted to 30. Earlier 26 pilgrims had died during past 25 days of pilgrimage since the yatra started on June 28 from Baltal track.
Meanwhile, 6, 849 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave today. According to an official spokesman, 3,11,725 pilgrims have paid obeisance at holy cave since the commencement of 44 day long Swami Amarnath Ji yatra on June 28.
A fresh batch of 1315 pilgrims left for holy cave early this morning from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas under tight security in a cavalcade of 42 vehicles. They included 898 men, 310 women, seven children and 100 Sadhus. All the yatris had reached their destinations in Kashmir Valley when last reports came in where from they will leave for their onwards sojourn early next morning.
Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma today visited Pahalgam and Chandanwari to review the arrangements of Shri Amarnathji Yatra through the traditional route.
The Minister took stock of the facilities put in place for the pilgrims at Nunwan Yatra Base Camp and en-route. While chairing the meeting of officers at Pahalgam, the Minister expressed satisfaction on the arrangements and directed for ensuring close coordination between various agencies to achieve better results. He directed for plugging gaps to meet any eventuality.
Meanwhile police has registered a case against an Army officer for allegedly thrashing a police officer at Baltal, base camp late last night.
Official sources said one person in civilian clothes approached drop gate at Baltal camp last night that he should be allowed to enter the high security area, where entry is banned after dusk.
When asked for his identity card, the person said he is an Army officer following which there were some heated arguments.
The police officer insisted that the Army officer would be allowed to enter the area only after getting permission from his seniors, sources said, adding later he was allowed to enter the security camp.
Later, the officer returned along with some other soldiers and allegedly thrashed the police officer.
An FIR has been registered against the Army officer and other soldiers, they said.
A police spokesman confirmed that a report about the incident has been lodged with the concerned police station.
“The matter is being investigated and, if required, action under law will be taken,” he said.
Meanwhile, Army has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
A Defence spokesperson said scuffle involving an Army officer and ASI of the State Police took place at Baltal yesterday.
Rashtriya Rifles Sector Commander and Inspector General (IG) Kashmir of Jammu and Kashmir Police met at Baltal to investigate the incident, he said, adding that in the meantime, Army authorities have ordered an enquiry into the incident.
He said authorities have assured that the personnel found to be allegedly involved in the incident have been replaced while the matter is under investigation.
A strict disciplinary action will be taken against the guilty, he added.
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