SC orders medical aid for yatris

Shocked over the deaths of 13 pilgrims at the Amarnath shrine in the last three days, the Supreme Court on Monday, directed Jammu and Kashmir government to immediately deploy medical aid teams.

Shocked over the deaths of 13 pilgrims at the Amarnath shrine in the last three days, the Supreme Court on Monday, directed Jammu and Kashmir government to immediately deploy medical aid teams.

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A bench of Justice BS Chauhan and Justice Swatater Kumar also gave liberty to the state government to seek assistance from the Centre and governments of UP and Punjab to provide requisite medical assistance to the pilgrims.

"We are worried and want to ensure that no more deaths are caused," the Bench observed.

Taking suo-motu cognizance of media reports on the high number of deaths that took place at the shrine this year, the SC had on July 20 appointed a high power committee to suggest measures to improve the conditions on way to the holy cave. It directed the same committee to also consider removing the iron-gate near the holy shrine.