Shri Amarnath Yatra crosses 2 lakh

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), July 16, 2017 - Today, on the 18th day of the Yatra 7,214 Yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave and, cumulatively, since the beginning of the pilgrimage, 2,02,705 Yatris had the darshan at the Holy Cave.

17 pilgrims to Shri Amarnath killed, 28 injured as bus plunges into 200 feet deep gorge.

In a tragic incident, 17 pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Yatra were killed and 28 others sustained injuries, 17 of them critically, when a bus of Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC)plunged into 200 feet deep gorge in Ramban district this afternoon after developing mechanical snag. Incidentally SRTC vehicle developed snag within 2 days of mechanical clearance. All the injured were, later, shifted to Jammu and Srinagar in vehicles and choppers to provide timely and specialized treatment to the injured.

The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK02Y-0594 was part of Shri Amarnath Yatra convoy and had left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas at Jammu in the wee hours for Pahalgam, the base camp for Yatra. At Nachlana, 13 kilometers short of Banihal town, the vehicle suddenly went out of the control of driver and plunged into 200 feet deep gorge. The vehicle, as per the police personnel, fell on a huge rock with big bang causing grievous injuries to all the passengers.

Such was the impact of collision with rock that parts of the vehicle were seen scattered over a large area. The police and CRPF personnel, who were already deployed on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway to facilitate smooth movement of Shri Amarnath Yatra vehicles, immediately swung into action to rescue the pilgrims.

However, bringing injured passengers and bodies out of the gorge was very tough because of the terrain and it was only after hectic efforts that rescue teams brought people out from the spot of accident and shifted them to Sub-District Hospital in different vehicles.

Earlier, on learning about the unfortunate accident Governor N N Vohra, who is also Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, immediately flew to Banihal along with Chief Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Board, to see to the rescue operations being carried out by the district administration Ramban with the help of Indian Air Force.

Governor drove to the site of the accident where this unfortunate accident took place. Appreciating the prompt relief provided by locals, who helped in rescuing the injured pilgrims, in co-ordination with the district administration.
On behalf of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board the Chariman announced relief of Rs 3 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the incident and Rs1 lakh each to those who had suffered injuries.

Later, Governor directed Chief Secretary to immediately ensure that no SRTC bus is deployed on long distance duty, particularly across the Banihal, which has not been thoroughly checked and certified fit for operation by a responsible ranking SRTC officer.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has expressed deep shock and immense grief over the death of pilgrims. She has conveyed her heart-felt sympathies to the bereaved families in their hour of grief and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
The Chief Minister has asked the administration to ensure best possible treatment to the injured pilgrims. She has directed the Divisional Commissioner Jammu to immediately release the ex-gratia amount in favor of the next of kin of the deceased and make necessary arrangements.

The deceased persons have been identified as Pawan Kumar, son of Dian Nath Parshad of Bihar, Dalip Kumar, son of Dina Nath Parshad of Bihar, Rohit Kumar, son of Shyam Parshad of Bihar, Sagar Kumar, son of Pardeep Parshad of Bihar, Ram Karan Sharma, son of Gagan Sahai of Rajasthan, Shalinder Singh, son of Balram Singh of Rajasthan, Ravinder Singh, son of Raghubir Singh of UP, Ravinder Singh, son of Rajinder Singh of UP, Rahul Kumar, son of Daleep Singh of Golapur, Meena Devi, wife of Zuhar Sahu of Bihar, Sikander, son of Pritam of UP, Sheeshpal Saini, son of Ganpat Ram of Saini Nagar Nawalgarh, Darshan Singh, son of Chajju Ram of Bishnah, Gogal Chand, son of Ghanisham, Rachet Sharma, son of H L Sharma of New Delhi and Chander Kumar. One deceased remained unidentified till late tonight.

The injured pilgrims have been identified as Pankaj Kushwah, son of Gajan Singh of Gwalior, Gori Shanker Sharma, son of Fateh Shanker of Rajasthan, Rajat Kumar, son of Vijay Chorasia of Bihar, Dheeraj Kumar, son of Rajinder Kumar of UP, Danesh Kumar, son of Bhawani Singh of Rajasthan, Sunder Singh, son of Hari Singh of Panipat, Rajit Sharma, son of H.L Sharma of Delhi, Chander Parkash, son of Kamal Sharma of MP, Baby Devi, wife of Dilshan Raj of Bihar, Rekha Devi, wife of Satguru Sharma of Bihar, Giri Raj, son of Suresh Singh of MP, Hari Om Sharma, son of Sia Ram Sharma of Rajasthan, Vipun Joshi, son of Dalip Joshi of Madhya Pardesh, Ranjeet Kumar, son of Sukhdev Chowdhary of Bihar, Davinder Singh, son of Ragubir Singh of Modi Nagar UP, Shishu Pal, son of Dhantap of Rajasthan, Gokul Chand Saini, son of Ghansham of Rajasthan, Tara Chand son of Sita Ram of Rajasthan, Chandan, son of Madan Lal of Punjab, Chand Pati Devi, wife of Silla Matfi of UP, Satesh Rawal, son of Satpal Rawal of Haryana, Satender Tewari, son of Radha Krishan of MP, Vijay Kumar, son of Sooraj Narayan of Bihar, Chetan Mishra, son of Rajender Mishra of Haryana, Deebar Golf, son of Bopinder of Assam, Naresh Dudajee, son of Om Prakash of Haryana, Bevey Singh, son of Durga Nath of Shimla.