A trekker from West Bengal, who had joined the Nanda Raj Jat and was later airlifted after he fell sick at Shila Samundra in Chamoli district, died at a hospital on Thursday. Expressing his deep regret, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said that the 42- year-old trekker Amarnath Chatterjee was one among a trekking group and later he joined Nanda Devi Raj Jat yatra. The State Government provided all medical help and airlifted him to Karnprayag from Shila Samudra and he died due to kidney failure. Except this one casualty, CM Rawat said that Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra was unprecedented in terms of gathering that is four time more than their expectation.
He further said that by raising a hue and cry, BJP has publicized the yatra on national or international level. Even they had beaten the journalist because they aired the news that the Government had made all arrangements for the pilgrims.Commenting on the media report, CM Rawat said that one newspaper blamed the State Government for failing to provide shelter to the pilgrims. But later the same paper quoted that Vedini bugyal turned into a tent city. By writing so, they themselves admitted that the State had placed tents in all available places.