Two Manimahesh pilgrims from Delhi, Pathankot die

Our Correspondent

Chamba, August 25

Two Manimahesh pilgrims from Delhi and Pathankot have reportedly died in 24 hours.

The Delhi pilgrim died of a heart attack at Manimahesh lake last evening.

Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Bharmour PP Singh said Harvinder (57), hailing from Delhi, was accompanied by his relatives. His body had been brought to the Bharmour Civil Hospital for the post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, the Pathankot pilgrim was killed when the motorcycle, (PB35R 8714) he was riding pillion, was hit by a truck coming from the wrong side at Dagoh Mor near the Tunnuhatti barrier on the Chamba-Pathankot national highway today, the police said.

However, motorcycle driver Mukesh Kumar had a narrow escape. The deceased had been identified as Saurav Kumar. Both youths belonged to Pathankot district in Punjab and were coming back from the Manimahesh yatra, the police said.

A case of rash and negligent driving under Sections 279, 304(A) of the IPC had been registered against the truck driver at Chowari police station, the police added.

Advisory issued to pilgrims

Bharmour: The Bharmour administration has issued an advisory to devotees going to Manimahesh to get their health check-up done before undertaking the journey.

In an official communiqué issued here today, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) PP Singh said during the yatra, changing weather conditions and various natural and difficult geographical conditions made the yatra difficult for the devotees, causing breathing and other problems. For the aged, physically weak and ailing pilgrims, the yatra could prove fatal, he warned.