Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of those who died. "Deeply pained at the loss of lives due to stampede at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. My condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured," Office of Jammu and Kashmir LG said in a tweet.

The Lieutenant Governor further also announced Rs 2 lakh to the injured and said that the Shrine board will bear the cost of the treatment of the injured. "Ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to stampede and Rs 2 lakh to the injured. Shrine board to bear the cost of treatment of injured," it said. Sinha also spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him about the incident. Prime Minister has assured all the help, he added.