Hathras stampede: Death toll rises to 121, UP govt promises thorough investigation
The death toll from the stampede at a Satsang in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday has risen to 121, with around 28 people sustaining injuries, the Office of Relief Commissioner said on Wednesday.
According to officials, six people are undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Aligarh; six at Deen Dayal Hospital in Aligarh; six at Etah Medical College in Hathras; nine at Bagla Hospital in Hathras; and one injured person is receiving treatment at Agra SN Medical College.
Uttar Pradesh police have launched a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district for Narayan Saakar Hari, also known as Bhole Baba, the preacher of the ‘Satsang’ in Hathras.
“We did not find Baba ji inside the campus. He is not here,” Deputy SP Sunil Kumar said.
An FIR has been filed against the organizers of the event at Sikandara Rao police station, naming ‘Mukhya Sewadar’ Devprakash Madhukar and others as accused.
According to the FIR, the event organizers had sought permission for around 80,000 attendees, but approximately 2.5 lakh people showed up, causing severe overcrowding.
After the Satsang concluded, the uncontrollable crowd leaving the venue caused a stampede, crushing those who were seated on the ground.
The organizing committee members used sticks in an attempt to stop the crowd from running into the water and mud-filled fields. This increased the pressure, resulting in women, children, and men being trampled, the FIR states.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has promised a thorough investigation to determine whether the stampede was an accident or a conspiracy.
“Indulging in politics instead of expressing condolences over the incident is extremely unfortunate and condemnable. The government will get to the bottom of this matter and find out whether this is an accident or a conspiracy. Appropriate punishment will be meted out to all those responsible for this incident,” he said.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. “The Uttar Pradesh government is engaged in providing all possible help to the victims. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured,” PM Modi said.
“Prime Minister @narendramodi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Hathras. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000”, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) posted on X.
https://x.com/PMOIndia/status/1808126276701446531?t=2D1aHDukv-4Aery8AxqfSg&s=19
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased. A team led by Additional DG Agra has been formed to conduct a detailed investigation, with a forensic team already collecting evidence at the site.
Aligarh District Magistrate Vishak G Iyer confirmed that 23 bodies were brought to Aligarh, adding that one of the three injured people receiving treatment is in critical condition.
BJP MLA Asim Arun, who interacted with the victims and eyewitnesses, said that a report will be submitted to the chief minister. Additionally, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Allahabad High Court by advocate Gaurav Dwivedi, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the incident.
(With ANI input)
