Kullu: The district administration here today ordered sealing of Manikaran Gurudwara to avoid further loss of life and property in coming days that may create havoc in area.
A huge rock rolled down the hill and fell on Manikaran Gurdwara yesterday afternoon that left 7 people dead and injured 11 others. The tragedy created fear among the residents as there are many other loose boulders on the same hill from which one hit the Gurdwara.
When contacted Rohit Rathor, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kullu told Hill Post, “possibilities of more rocks falling in the valley cannot be ruled out as there are many large loose boulders on the hill adjoining the Gurdwara that may create havoc in coming days.
For now, the Gurdwara has been sealed to avoid more loss of lives. A team of technical experts was deputed to inspect the site and it is only on the basis of their expert view that we have taken such a decision as public safety is our first priority,” said Rathor.
Earlier a team of 7 members from National Disaster Response Force visited the site. Ajay Prakash Shukla, who headed the team said, “As our team inspected the hill we found that two more boulders are likely to hit Gurdwara in coming days, the only way is to remove these huge rocks as soon as possible though in the process this may damage religious building but by sealing it further loss of life can be avoided.”
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of deceased, where Rs 25000 has been released and the remaining amount would be paid through local administration of victim’s hometowns or villages, a government spokesman stated.
A theater artist, a script writer and a TV anchor, news is something that grips Renuka. She lives in Kullu.
