Hathras (UP), July 2 (UNI) More than 60 people were killed, and several others injured in stampede during satsang in Sikandra Rao area of Hathras district here in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, a senior district administration official said here.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the incident and directed the senior officials to reach the spot and launch a rescue operation. A high level inquiry has also been ordered.
Police sources said the incident took place in Phulrai village under Sikandra Rao police station while the satsang of Bhole Baba was being held. “During the satsang stampede took place in which several devotees were crushed,” they said.
District Magistrate (DM) Hathras Ashish Kumar Patel said the incident took place due to high humidity when the people were coming out as the religious event was about to end. “Though the exact number of deceased is not clear, but according to the information given by the doctors of the community health centre the figure is around 50 to 60 people,” he said.
He said the permission for the satsang was granted by the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM). “It was a private event in which personnel were deployed for law and order and security. “Right now the focus of the district administration is to provide government assistance to the families of the deceased and treatment to the injured,” he said.
Earlier, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Etah Rajesh Kumar Singh said 27 bodies have been received at Etah hospital. “These include 23 females, 3 children and 1 male. It is an unfortunate incident,” he said.
Expressing his condolence to the bereaved familiies, Yogi Adityanath announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
He ordered ministers Laxmi Narain Chaudhary and Sandeep Singh along with Chief Secretary and the Director General of the Police (DGP) to rush the spot.
He also directed the district administration officials to reach the spot immediately and take the injured to the hospital and provide them proper treatment. He has also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Meanwhile, a team of Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Agra and Divisional Commissioner Aligarh has been constituted to inquire into the cause of the stampede.
The committee has been directed to submit its report within 24 hours. The administration has also decided to lodge an FIR against the organisers.
