33 killed in stampede during Dussehra celebrations in Patna

PATNA: At least 33 people, most of them women and children, were killed and 26 injured in a stampede at Gandhi Maidan during Vijaya Dashmi celebrations on Friday. Panic stricken people ran amok in confusion after an electric pole snapped with a loud bang, leading many to believe a bomb had gone off. In the melee and the darkness that followed due to power cut, which was soon after the effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakaran and Meghnad were burnt, heart-rending scenes of dead and injured being rushed to hospital were witnessed, perhaps even by Bihar chief minister Jitan Manjhi who was the chief guest at the function. The stampede took place around 6.30pm when the crowd started leaving the venue. The incident happened near the Ram Goolam Chowk near the Exhibition Road turning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Manjhi about the tragedy. Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the relatives of those killed and the Bihar CM announced Rs 3 lakh each. The CM late in the evening directed the health secretary to arrange free of cost treatment and medicines to the injured in the PMCH. He also said that the injured would get relief of Rs 50,000 each. Bihar government has also ordered an inquiry by the home secretary and ADG of police (headquarters) into the incident. Last October, six people had died at Gandhi Maidan after a series of bomb blasts took place during Narendra Modi's election rally there. Two years ago, many lives were lost during a stampede on one of the lanes leading to to the river Ganga during Chhath festival in Patna. Helpline number: 0612-2219810 TOI