Stampede Tragedy in Puri: Financial Aid of 25 Million Rupees for Affected Families, Two Officials Dismissed; Rahul Gandhi Extends Sympathies
Puri Stampede: Tragedy Unveiled and the Aftermath
The aftermath of the Puri stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra has highlighted glaring issues related to crowd management and operational lapses. Here's a fresh take on the unfortunate incident that occurred in Puri, Odisha.
Early morning on Sunday, a distressing stampede unfolded near the Gundicha Temple in Puri, claiming the lives of at least three devotees. Basanti Sahu, Premakant Mohanty, and Pravati Das lost their lives due to suffocation caused by the stampede.
The Crux of the Mishap
The stampede transpired primarily due to three key factors:
- Sudden Arrival of Trucks: The sudden entry of two trucks transporting "charamala" wood (ritualistic wooden stairs) into an already tightly packed space sparked a frenzy among devotees.
- Congestion and Limited Space: The area where the incident occurred was a relatively narrow congregational site, worsening the situation due to overcrowding and restricted mobility.
- Insufficient Police Deployment: Eyewitnesses attest to the inadequate presence of law enforcement personnel and a delayed response to the ensuing chaos, which exacerbated the situation.
Administration's Response
In light of the calamity, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi made a heartfelt apology and took immediate action. The Puri Deputy Police Commissioner and police Commandant were suspended, and the Puri Collector and Superintendent of Police were transferred.
The Odisha Law Minister confirmed a comprehensive investigation to uncover any negligence and hold responsible parties accountable. The victims’ families were promised Rs 25 lakh in compensation by the state government.
Message from the CM
Apologizing for the lapse, the Chief Minister expressed his personal sympathies, seeking forgiveness from devotees and offering his condolences to those who lost loved ones. He further emphasized the need for action against those responsible for the unfortunate incident.
Condolences from Rahul Gandhi
Former Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, extended his sympathies to the bereaved families and urged the Odisha government to expedite relief efforts. He also reiterated the need for thorough crowd management and security arrangements for such massive events, emphasizing that protecting lives should be of paramount importance.
During the annual Rath Yatra, tens of thousands of devotees pull the holy chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Shubhadra towards the Gundicha Temple, a short distance from the Jagannath Temple. The chariots return to the Jagannath Temple after a week at the Gundicha Temple. This year's Rath Yatra commenced on Friday.
- The Puri stampede, a tragedy during the general-news event of Jagannath Rath Yatra, was influenced by factors such as sudden arrival of trucks, congestion, and limited space, along with insufficient police deployment in the crime-and-justice sector.
- Rahul Gandhi, expressing condolences for the lives lost in the Puri stampede, emphasized the need for diligent crowd management and security arrangements, emphasizing that such considerations are crucial in tragedies like these, particularly during large-scale religious events.
