In a shocking development, at least 32 people died and around 100 others injured when a stampede occurred at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna during the Ravan Dahan. The incident occurred soon after Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi left the venue after the Ravan Dahan celebrations. Around five lakh people were present at the venue.
There were chaos and mismanagement across the venue. The administration miserably failed to handle the situation. They did not make any arrangement to prevent such incidents despite the fact that a huge crowd gathered at the venue. Even, the area did not have adequate power supply.
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The injured have been rushed to the nearby hospitals. The death toll may rise further. Most deceased were women and kids, it is reported. According to some reports, the stampede was triggered by a rumour about a broken live electric wire.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the incident and talked to the Bihar CM to take stock of the situation. The PM has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.
Former Bihar CM and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has called the incident as an administrative lapse. Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar have been silent over the mishap, while Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan is rushing to Patna tomorrow. The centre has rushed CRPF, NDRF and Medical teams to Patna and making arrangements to airlift injured to New Delhi if needed.
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