Bihar. A stampede-like situation occurred in the famous Ashokdham temple located in Lakhisarai on Monday amidst a huge crowd of devotees. So far, 7 devotees have been confirmed dead in the accident, while many others are said to be injured. The dead included all women. After the incident, there was shouting and chaos in the temple premises.
Rumor spread after electric pole fell-
According to Lakhisarai DM Shailendra Kumar, the queue of devotees had reached Ashokdham Halt. During this time, two trains also stopped at the halt. Suddenly an electric pole fell near the queue of male devotees.
After the pole fell, a rumor spread among the crowd that an electric wire had fallen on the devotees. DM told that in reality it was not an electric wire, but a cable. Due to the rumour, the crowd pressure in the women's queue suddenly increased and many devotees fell on each other.
The situation worsened in just two minutes-
DM said that police and administration teams were handling the arrangements at the spot since around 3 am in the morning. In view of the huge crowd of devotees, arrangements for police force, health workers, ambulance, Toto ambulance and bike ambulance were also made.
However, due to the sudden increase in pressure from the crowd, the barricading on one side broke and the situation deteriorated in just a few minutes. Many devotees fell down, following which a stampede-like situation occurred.
The injured were taken to the hospital-
As soon as information about the accident was received, police and administration teams reached the spot. The injured were immediately sent to the hospital. Officers are present in Sadar Hospital and monitoring the treatment and relief work of the injured.
The administration is investigating the entire incident of the accident and the process of identifying the deceased is underway.
Till now these four deceased have been identified-
According to information available from the administration, the dead included:
Manmala Devi (44), Barhiya, Lakhisarai
Rinku Devi (50), Farda, Munger
Hemlata Devi (55), Kaindi Pratappur, Lakhisarai
Lalita Devi, Pratappur, Lakhisarai
The process of identifying other dead is ongoing.
Eyewitness told how the stampede happened-
According to an eyewitness woman, a large number of devotees had reached the temple for darshan and Jalabhishek. Meanwhile, news of electric pole falling and electrocution spread rapidly among the crowd. After the rumour, people started running here and there in fear.
Meanwhile, the barricading broke and many devotees fell on each other. Within no time there was an outcry in the temple premises.
The injured woman said – she was being continuously pushed from behind.
A woman injured in the accident said that she was being continuously pushed from behind in the crowd. Due to increasing pressure, she lost her balance and fell on the ground and became unconscious. People present nearby picked him up and tried to bring him back to consciousness by splashing water on him.
Chief Minister expressed grief-
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has expressed deep grief over the death of devotees in the Ashokdham temple accident. Expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, he has given instructions to provide better and prompt treatment to the injured.
The Chief Minister has instructed the officials to keep a constant eye on the relief and medical arrangements and not to be negligent in the treatment.