Woman dies, 8 hurt as makeshift stage for jagran collapses in storm
A woman died and eight others were injured when a makeshift stage installed for jagran (religious gathering) collapsed due to a squall late on Saturday night. The dead was identified as Sunita, a resident of Dwarka Enclave here. Most of the injured were said to be children who were sitting in front of the stage. All of them are undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Police officials reached the spot after the accident and started investigations. The incident took place near Shri Govind Godham on Hambran Road.
The jagran had been organised by people living in Dwarka Enclave on an empty ground behind the temple. Singer Pallavi Rawat was to perform bhajans at the function.
Meanwhile, a storm started at around 2 o’clock in the night. As soon as the storm came, everyone tried to reach a safer place and started dispersing, but the singer and the members of the orchestra party asked the audience to keep sitting and not leave the jagran midway. They assured that the storm would not cause any damage. After listening to them, all the children and women sat down again.
After a while, the wind picked up and the makeshift stage fell with a thud and those sitting in front were buried under it. The structure was made of iron, resulting in serious injuries to people. As soon as the structure fell, there was panic all around. People started running here and there for safety. Meanwhile, efforts began to rescue those buried under the structure.
Meanwhile, people alleged that the singer and her orchestra team did not make any arrangements for the safety of the people during the programme. Also, they misled people and stopped them from going during a natural heavy storm. Later, on the complaint of the people, singer Pallavi Rawat and members of her orchestra were called to the police station for questioning on Sunday, but were allowed to go after their statements were recorded.
“I had only come for jagran. During this, a storm came and the iron frame on which the lights were installed, fell down. So, what is my fault?” the singer asked people.
Meanwhile, SHO, Punjab Agriculture University, Inspector Rajinderpal Singh said it was an accident caused by the storm which cost the life a woman and injured several others. There was no fault of the singer and her orchestra team.
Most of those sitting in front row were injured
A jagran was organised by Dwarka Enclave residents near Shri Govind Godham on Hambran road. Meanwhile, a storm started at around 2 o’clock in the night. Everyone tried to reach a safer place and started dispersing but the singer and the members of the orchestra party asked them not leave the jagran midway. They assured that the storm would not cause any damage. After listening to them, all the children and women sat down again. After a while, the wind picked up and the makeshift stage fell with a thud and those sitting in front were buried under it.
