65 people killed in a stampede at a Ashram in Uttar Pradesh
merisarkar news service
New Delhi, March 04, 2010
37 Children & 26 women died in the stampede
37 children and 26 women are among the dead. They had gone to collect the food and other kitchen utensils to be distributed at Kripalu Maharaj's Ashram in Pratapgarh District of Uttar Pradesh.
More than 400 people injured in the stampede. Officials say more than 10,000 people had gathered to collect food and other items to be distributed at the post death ritual of Kripalu Maharaj's wife.
The stampede occurred after the main gate of the temple collapsed. There was a sudden rush of the crowd when volunteers opened the door of the temple.
Eyewitnesses said that most of the people died because of falling into a bore-well located near the under construction main gate of the Ashram.
The managers of Ashram claimed that they had written a letter to the authorities asking police deployment to manage the crowd.
However, the district officials say that they had no prior information about the gathering at Ram Janki Temple located in Mangarh in Pratapgarsh district.
UP Chief Minister Ms. Mayawati has instructed to two Cabinet Colleagues Swami Prasad Mourya and Naseemuddin Sidiqqui to visit the Mangarh and supervise the rescue and relief work.
Ms. Mayawati also ordered a high level inquiry. The Commissioner of Allahabad Division will investigate the cause of the tragedy.
