Bhopal, Oct 13: At least 115 pilgrims, including 30 children were killed and more than 100 injured in a stampede on narrow bridge to the historic Ratangarh temple in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. This is shocking re-run of the 2006 tragedy at the same site when 50 pilgrims were washed away.
The bridge over the swollen Sindh river, which leads to the temple was chock-a-block with over one lakh devotees from Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring UP on auspicious Navami day.
Swirling rumours about an imminent collapse of the bridge after a police lathicharge on devotees triggered panic. While scores of pilgrims were trampled, others were drowned after jumping into the swollen river. Bodies lay sprawled on the bridge even as rescue teams from Gwalior were delayed due to battered roads and a 10-km traffic jam.There were only nine constables and a sub-inspector manning the over-lakh crowd on the 500-metre long bridge when the tragedy took place.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragedy and Congress president Sonia Gandhi has expressed anguish. The Ratangarh temple is located 55 km from the Datia district headquarters and 405 km north of Bhopal.
"We have counted 100 bodies so far. Several pilgrims died on way to hospital. The toll may rise manifold," said a senior police officer.
The tragedy was sparked off by rumours that the bridge on Sindh River - through which pilgrims were heading towards temple - was collapsing. In a huge lapse on part of the administration, heavy vehicles carrying pilgrims were allowed to ply on the bridge. Eye-witnesses claim a clash between two groups of villagers on the bridge forced a minor lathicharge by police which triggered the stampede.
Speaking to TOI, eyewitness Manoj Sharma, 28, said, "police lathicharge worsened the crisis, forcing many to jump off the bridge." Sharma, a resident of Bhander village in Datia, was on his way to the temple along with his friends. A massive traffic jam on way to the temple hampered relief work and mobs began pelting stones at the police. Two cops, including a sub-divisional officer of police (SDOP) B N Basave was assaulted by the mob.
"The toll could touch 120. We are yet to recover bodies from the river," Chambal range DIG D K Arya told TOI. Chief secretary, DGP and ADG intelligence have air dashed to the spot on a chopper.
Senior BSP leader and former Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti alleged the collector and SP were busy with election management in Basai, 85 km from the district headquarters, and did not take steps to ensure efficient crowd management.
A team of more than 20 doctors have been dispatched to the spot, and a high alert has been sounded in surrounding Shivpuri district. The casualty wards of district hospitals have been vacated. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh each to the kin of the victims. Leader of opposition Ajay Singh has appealed the chief minister to increase the compensation.
It was religious frenzy compounded by administrative failure that led to a similar tragedy in 2006 over the bridge on the Sindh river.
"Nearly 50-60 people are feared killed in the stampede on the bridge over Sindh river leading to the temple following rumours by some unidentified persons that it is collapsing," Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Chambal Range, D K Arya told PTI.
The mishap occurred when a large number of devotees arrived from Datia and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh at the Durga temple at Ratangarh, about 60 kms from the district headquarters, Arya said.
Nearly 100 people have been injured in the mishap and they have been admitted in nearby hospitals, he said.
Meanwhile, police resorted to mild lathicharge to control an angry crowd which pelted stones at the cops.
A sub divisional police officer suffered serious injuries after being hit by stones, the DIG said, adding that some other policemen were also injured.
The state government, with the approval of the State Election Commission, has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh to the kin of those killed in the stampede.
The government also announced an assistance of Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 each for those who suffered minor injuries in the mishap.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed grief over the tragedy.
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