Vaishno Devi stampede: Survivors blame 'mismanagement', shrine board refutes charge
The Hindu
‘They were aware about the possible rush but allowed the people in unhindered,’ says one pilgrim
A sudden rush of devotees at the Vaishno Devi shrine here to mark the beginning of the New Year triggered the , some of the survivors said, blaming "mismanagement" for the tragedy.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, however, denied the charge, saying all necessary arrangements were made in view of the expected rush, while Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) for the “unfortunate” incident.
"Nothing but mismanagement was the cause for this tragic accident. They were aware about the possible rush but allowed the people in unhindered," a pilgrim from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh said while waiting outside a mortuary to identify a dead body.