NEW DELHI: At least 30 persons were killed and 60 injured in a pre-dawn stampede near the Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh area after swelling crowds breached barricades in a rush for the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, the ongoing festival’s most auspicious day.
The tragedy led the Uttar Pradesh administration to suspend all VIP privileges on Wednesday and announce that no VIP protocol would be followed on any other bathing festival days. The three remaining holy bath days are February 3 (Basant Panchami Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima Snan) and February 26 (the concluding Maha Shivaratri Snan).
PM Narendra Modi expressed condolences at the loss of lives and hoped for early recovery of those injured. He spoke to UP CM multiple times throughout the day and monitored relief and rescue work. “Crores of devotees have thronged the Maha Kumbh on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Smooth movement was interrupted for some time, but now for hours pilgrims are taking the holy dip and effective arrangements have resumed,” the PM said before commencing his address at a Delhi election rally. After a daylong silence on casualties, the UP Government this evening put the toll at 30 and the count of injured at 60. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Vaibhav Krishna said the incident had occurred between 1 am and 2 am amid crowd rush.
“Just before dawn (Brahma muhurta), a mass gathering built up on the Akhara Road in the Maha Kumbh area. Due to the crowd rush, barricades on the other side collapsed and many ran towards the other side trampling over devotees awaiting their turn for Brahma muhurta holy bath. Over 90 injured were rushed to the hospital immediately. Of these, 30 died. The bodies of 25 have been identified by the next of kin.” Among the injured, 36 are undergoing treatment at the local hospital and the rest have been sent back with their families.
The police said some of the deceased were from outside UP, including four from Assam and one from Gujarat. The UP Police have issued a helpline number (1920) for assistance.
Earlier in the day as the news of dozens being killed in a crowd crush spread, 14 Hindu Akharas announced cancellation of their plans for the holy bath. However, hours later the seers resumed the holy bath.
Visuals captured shoes, backpacks, belongings of pilgrims strewn around the Sangam Ghat where the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati meet, the point considered the most auspicious for the holy bath.
CM Yogi Adityanath said 10 crore people had descended on Prayagraj for the Mauni Amavasya ritual. After the Hindu seers, Yogi also urged devotees not to throng the nose of the Sangam Ghat and take the holy dip wherever they were. The CM said the situation in Prayagraj was under control despite massive crowds arriving.
“The injured have been shifted to hospitals for medical treatment. A mass of devotees started pouring in last night, when the Mauni Amavasya muhurta began. The PM has taken stock of the situation four times till now. Home Minister Amit Shah and Governor Anandiben Patel are also continuously taking reports of the situation,” said Yogi.
“The saints of different Akharas have urged devotees to take holy dip first and once crowds reduce, Akharas will proceed for the holy dip. Ghats have been created in the entire Kumbh area. Devotees should take holy dip at the ghats nearest to them.” added Yogi.
The Opposition, meanwhile, hit out at the BJP-ruled UP for the chaos and loss of lives. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded that Maha Kumbh management be left to the Army, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said mismanagement and the administration’s special focus on VIP movement were responsible for the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Yogi ordered a judicial inquiry to find the reasons that led to the stampede He said the probe would be conducted by a three-member panel headed by retired judge Harsh Kumar.