India: At least 12 killed and 15 injured in stampede at religious shrine in India Kashmir

NEW DELHI, 02 January 2021, (TON): Officials say “a crowd surge at a popular Hindu shrine in Indian-controlled Kashmir killed at least 12 people and injured 15 others on New Year's Day.”

Initial reports suggested an altercation between a group of devotees led to the crush early on Saturday at the Mata Vaishnav Devi shrine, where tens of thousands of Hindus gathered to pay respects in the hilly town of Katra near southern Jammu city.

Mahesh, who gave only one name said "something happened near one of the gates and I found myself under a crush of people.”

"I suffocated and fell but somehow managed to stand up.”

He said "I saw people moving over the bodies. It was a horrifying sight, but I managed to help in rescuing some injured people.”

Indian news agency quoted police chief Dilbag Singh as saying that authorities were quick to respond and the order within the crowd was immediately restored.

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