Eighteen dead in Patna Chhath stampede

Last Updated: Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 19:11

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Tags: Bihar, Patna, Stampede at Adalatganj ghat, Chhath, Adalatganj ghat, Nitish Kumar

Zeenews Bureau

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday cancelled the dinner for Members of Parliament and the state legislature of the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) following the death of 18 people, mostly children and women, during the Chhath festival celebrations in Patna.

"The Chief Minister has cancelled the dinner, scheduled for Nov 21, for the party MPs and legislators ahead of the completion of seven years in power," JD-U spokesperson Sanjay Singh said.

Singh said the Chief Minister was very sad after the shocking incident.

Meanwhile, State Home Secretary Amir Subhani has begun an inquiry into the stampede.

"We have began an inquiry into the cause of the stampede," Subhani told mediapersons in Patna.

Nitish Kumar at a press conference last night refuted reports that a bamboo bridge collapse caused the deaths and said it was due to a stampede.

According to an official in the Chief Minister Office, Nitish Kumar has directed the top health department officials to provide treatment to the injured.

Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad is likely to arrive in Patna from Delhi to meet the families of those killed and visit injured in the hospitals.

At least 18 people, including children and women, were killed and many others were injured in a stampede during the Chhath puja and celebrations in Patna Monday evening.

According to local officials, the incident happened when people were coming back after offering prayers at the ghat.

A police official said the stampede occurred after a temporary bridge made of bamboo collapsed due to heavy rush of people, mainly devotees and their family members.

Chief Minister later announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of those killed.

Over four lakh people from Patna and nearby areas gathered at different ghats here for Chhath celebration.

Celebrated six days after Diwali, Chhath is dedicated to the Sun god. During the festival, married women observe fast for 36 hours, and devotees offer wheat, milk, sugarcane, bananas and coconuts to the Sun god.

(With Agency Inputs)

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First Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 09:57

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Harmeet singh - amritsar
why the people go mad for single day and cant wait for next day. further temple management why have they not ask goverenment to bring any policy for this. i think people and crazy and goverent is blind for both results is this......

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Ajay chaturvedi - Lucknow
Safety and security during such festivals is the responsibility of the local administration. Such stampedes can be avoided by having a better traffic regulating scheme. Also better awareness needs to be generated for which NGOs can contribute. My heart goes to the family members of the deceased and I pray to god that those who passed away rest in peace.

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ashutosh - motipur
sab ke sab chor hai ,ek chota bridge bhi sahi se nhi bana sakte.

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D.K.Yadav - Delhi
It is pathetic on the part of the Government and government official for not ensuring the management for the festive occasion. Undoubtedly, people would think that by the grace of god it happens but the reality is totally different. People would learn lession from this and make sure their choice must stand by the promises they make.