New Delhi: During Navratri, when there is an atmosphere of devotion and celebration of Mata Rani across the country, many painful accidents turned the happiness into mourning. A total of 38 people lost their lives in the incidents reported from Kolkata, Gwalior, Balrampur and Telangana. At some places there was a stampede in the Durga Puja pandal, while at other places uncontrolled vehicles crushed the devotees. A girl student died after a lighting structure collapsed during a Dandiya program in Telangana. Many people have also been injured in these incidents.
Stampede in Kolkata, 19 people died
There was chaos in the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, amid heavy rain at around 7:40 pm on Saturday evening. A stampede occurred after the crowd increased in the pandal premises and a part collapsed. 19 people died in this accident, while 25 people were injured.
Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari reached the hospital and inquired about the condition of the injured. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a government job to the families of the deceased. Free treatment for the injured and compensation of Rs 5 lakh was also announced.
Devotees crushed in Gwalior from MP and Balrampur from UP
Devotees going to Shitala Mata Temple on Chinor Road in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh were hit by an uncontrolled truck. The truck loaded with paddy broke the police barricade and hit the outer gate and wall of the temple. 15 people died in this accident. Many people have been injured, while two policemen on duty were also injured.
People watching a video on a screen outside a Durga Puja pandal in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh were crushed by a speeding car. Three people died on the spot in the accident, while four were seriously injured.
Accident during Dandiya program in Telangana
The lighting structure collapsed during the Dandiya program at MVSR Engineering College, Nadargul in Rangareddy district of Telangana. First year student Sona Narayan Das died in the accident, while her sister Meena was seriously injured. A total of 12 students were injured in this incident. These frequent accidents have raised serious questions on the security arrangements amid the celebration of Navratri.