Hathras stampede: A top official said on July 3 that the number of those killed in the stampede at a religious assembly in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, had grown to 121. The Office of the Relief Commissioner reports that 28 persons were hurt in the event on July 2. It stated that 19 of the total deaths had not yet been recognized.
Uttar Pradesh Police File FIR Against Event Organizers
On July 3, the Uttar Pradesh Police filed a formal complaint (FIR) against the religious congregation’s organizers. The U.P. police stated in the FIR that the victims’ slippers and other possessions were tossed by the godman Narayan Sakar Hari’s followers into fields that contained standing crops in order to conceal evidence of the stampede. Devprakash Mathur, the event’s organizer, has been charged by U.P. police under BNS Sections 105, 110, 126, 223, and 238. The offending Narayan Sakar Hari has not been mentioned in the FIR.
Satsang Event Hosted by Narayan Sakar Hari in Fulrai Village
The event happened during a “satsang” (prayer meeting) that self-described godman Narayan Sakar Hari hosted in Fulrai village, which is located under the Sikandrarau police station jurisdiction of the Hathras district. Over a lakh individuals, predominantly women, were allegedly present at the assembly.
District Magistrate Hathras’ official X account stated in a post that the district government has set up helplines 05722227041 and 05722227042 for the public’s assistance in light of the catastrophe. Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, is scheduled to visit Hathras on Wednesday, where 116 people were murdered in a stampede during a religious gathering, according to a senior government official.
Investigation Team Formed to Determine Cause of Stampede
A team led by the Divisional Commissioner of Aligarh and ADG Agra has been assembled to investigate the incident’s cause. Following the terrible occurrence on Tuesday, the administration stated in a statement that the report must be submitted within 24 hours. A team led by the Divisional Commissioner of Aligarh and ADG Agra has been assembled to investigate the incident’s cause. The administration stated in a statement on Tuesday that the report must be turned in within a day.
Overcrowding Cited as a Major Cause of Stampede
Manoj Kumar Singh, the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh, told news agency PTI that one of the causes of the stampede was overpopulation. Singh stated that although 80,000 people were listed as attending the “satsang” on the application the event organizers made to obtain permission to host it, the real number was significantly higher. Approximately 2.5 lakh people attended the event, according to a report.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered Rs 50,000 for the injured and Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to the family of the deceased in response to the stampede event, expressing his deep grief. In order to coordinate relief operations, PM Modi indicated that top federal officials were in regular communication with the Uttar Pradesh government.
Rush for ‘Raj’ Caused Stampede
According to an eyewitness, the stampede was caused by Bhole Baba’s followers rushing to gather “raj,” or dust, that the preacher’s car had driven over as it left the site. “Baba had left after addressing satsang for over one-and-a-half hours on Tuesday. The followers raced to have ‘raj’ but slipped because of slippery ground and fell on each other, leading to the stampede,” said the eyewitness.