Six women among 7 dead in Bihar temple stampede

Jehanabad (Bihar), August 12

At least seven people, including six women, were killed and 16 others suffered injuries in a stampede at Baba Siddheshwar Nath Temple in Bihar's Jehanabad district, an official said on Monday.

Probe ordered into incident

• In addition to the ~4 lakh ex gratia, the administration will provide ~20,000 each to the families of the deceased for last rites. The injured persons will get ~50,000 each, officials said.
• A dispute among kanwariyas might have led to the stampede. The exact cause was yet to be ascertained. An inquiry has been ordered, officials said.

The deceased had been identified as Pyare Paswan (30), Nisha Devi (30), Punam Devi (30), Nisha Kumari (21) and Sushila Devi (64). The identity of one woman was not known yet, the official added.

District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey confirmed the fatalities and injuries, stating that the stampede took place at the temple around 11.30 pm on Sunday. She noted that security personnel at the temple quickly brought the situation under control.

“Seven persons, mostly kanwariyas, were killed and 16 others suffered injuries in a stampede at Baba Siddeshwar Nath Temple in Barabar Pahadi area of Jehanabad around 11.30 pm on Sunday,” she said.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the incident and ordered an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. The Chief Minister also directed the district administration to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.

“The CM ordered an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased. Kumar has also directed the district administration to provide best possible treatment to the injured,” a statement by the Chief Minister's Office said.

While 10 persons were discharged after administering first aid, six other are still undergoing treatment at the hospital.

A dispute among kanwariyas might have led to the stampede. The exact cause was yet to be ascertained. An inquiry has been ordered, the officials said.

“Some locals suggested that a heated argument between a group of kanwariyas and flower sellers outside the temple may have triggered the incident. The exact cause is yet to be ascertained,” she said.

Meanwhile, RJD leaders Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav have expressed grief over the incident, a statement by the party said. — PTI