60-member NDRF team leaving to evacuate 17 bodies
Chamba, Sept 5,
Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Friday confirmed that a 60-member rescue team comprising NDRF, SDRF and local volunteers has been deployed to evacuate the bodies of 17 people who died during the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba district.
Addressing a press conference at Paridhi Greh, Negi clarified that 17 deaths have been reported during the entire pilgrimage period and rejected rumors of higher casualties or a government-imposed shutdown of mobile services.
“Communication networks belong to national and international operators, and shutting them requires approval of the Union Home Ministry. The state government has not suspended any services,” he said.
The minister informed that of the 17 victims, four bodies were trapped in inaccessible terrain of Kugti Panchayat. “Due to bad weather, only two bodies could be retrieved yesterday. Efforts are continuing today to bring the remaining two to Bharmour,” he added.
Negi highlighted that relief and evacuation have been carried out on a massive scale. Since August 29, more than 7,000 stranded pilgrims have been transported to Pathankot, Bhaderwah, Kangra and other destinations in 165 HRTC buses.
In addition, 120 devotees including the elderly, injured and sick were shifted from Bharmour to Chamba via helicopters. With weather improving on Friday, the Army’s two Chinook helicopters began large-scale airlift operations to bring remaining pilgrims to safety.
Restoration work on the Chamba–Bharmour road (NH-154A) is underway and expected to be completed within two days. Negi said the government will frame special SOPs to ensure safer yatras in future. He also announced that officials, employees and social organizations who played an exemplary role in the crisis will be honored.
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