Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board issues statement, says scuffle between two groups caused stampede

The Board said that only 35,000 pilgrims were allowed to proceed for the yatra against the normal capacity of 50,000 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Delhi: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has issued a statement on the Saturday stampede and said that it occurred 'due to a scuffle' between two groups of pilgrims.

The statement issued on Saturday (January 1, 2022) evening came in the backdrop of allegations over mismanagement and emphasised that only 35,000 pilgrims were allowed to proceed for the yatra against the normal capacity of 50,000 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It added that Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of the Board, was informed about the stampede at 3 am and that he has been continuously monitoring the situation since then.