Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 4: Pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi was suspended at 4 pm today after small boulders started falling on both old and new tracks from Adh-Kunwari to Bhawan. Earlier in the morning, three pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh were injured after being hit by boulders at Lambi Keri between Adh-Kunwari to Sanji Chat on old track.
Official sources said Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) authorities decided to suspended yatra from Katra, the base camp of the shrine, at 4 pm today after 9000 pilgrims had left for the Bhawan but weather was getting from bad to worst in view of continued rains and falling of boulders on both old and new tracks from Adh-Kunwari to Bhawan.
A decision to resume yatra will be taken tomorrow morning after taking view of weather conditions, sources said adding that SMVDSB CEO Dr Mandeep K Bhandari was constantly monitoring the yatra and arrangements for the pilgrims.
Earlier at about 5 am today, three boulders fell at parapet at Lambi Keri between Adh-Kunwari and Sanji Chat on old track causing injuries to three pilgrims. They have been identified as Kalyan Singh, 51, son of Padam Singh Rawat R/o Shivpuri, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Raj Kumari Tiwari, 50, wife of Prakash Tiwari R/o Krishna Nagar, MP and Asha Rani Mishra, 38, wife of Ram Mishra R/o Badodha, MP.
They were shifted to Katra hospital from where the two women were referred to the GMC Jammu. After treatment, they left for MP in train tonight.
SMVDSB employees provided necessary help to the injured. Condition of all three injured was stable.
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