Lucknow: A preliminary inquiry into the
stampede in Pratapgarh district that left 63 people dead has
held the management of the ashram responsible but admitted
that the police had been informed about the function, Uttar
Pradesh government said on Saturday.
"As per the preliminary report submitted by divisional
commissioner Allahabad Ajay Kumar Upadhyaya, who was asked to
probe the incident, prima facie (Kripaluji Maharaj) ashram
authorities are responsible for the mishap," principal
secretary home Fateh Bahadur told reporters here.
The inquiry found that the organisers had not made
proper arrangements for controlling the crowds and the gate of
the ashram, which also had a structural fault, fell because of
"lack of foresight and negligence" on their part, he said.
No official action has been taken against police
personnel, he said, adding that Deputy Superintendent of
Police K P Singh was inquiring into the FIR lodged against the
ashram management and organisers.
"As of now no action like suspension has been
initiated by the government," he said,
As many as 63 people were killed in the stampede at
Kripaluji Maharaj Ashram at Mangarh during a `bhandara`
(community kitchen) on Thursday.
When it was pointed out that senior administrative
officials and politicians were disciples of Kripalu Maharaj,
the principal secretary said that it would not come in the way
of taking action against those responsible for the mishap.
He admitted that Jagatguru Kripalu Parishad Trust had
informed the Additional Superintendent of Police, Pratapgarh,
through a letter that the function would take place between 12
noon to 6 PM and had requested for ten to 15 policemen.
"But the crowd had started assembling since nine in
the morning and the organisers had not made arrangements to
control it," the official said adding that the arrangements
were for distributing utensils and other things among 10,000
people.
The report also stated that there was also no public
address system at the site, the principal secretary said
adding that had the arrangement been made by the Trust, the
incident could have been prevented.
The principal secretary said that the commissioner
also got experts` view on the gate which had crashed under
pressure. A report from the engineers of the Public Works
Department (PWD) and even the treasurer of the Trust, Hiranmay
Chatterji, had said that there was some structural fault.
Asked why the police had failed to assess the gravity
of the situation, the principal secretary said that it was a
private "shradh ceremony and bhandara" and the arrangements
for those attending it were made by the organisers themselves.
"The programme was being held at the private property
of the Trust," he said adding that strict action would be
taken after the completion of the inquiries.
The Allahabad commissioner, who submitted his
preliminary report last night, has been asked to give a
detailed version later.
On a similar feast being organised by the Trust at
Vrindavan in Mathura today where cash has also been
distributed, he said senior officials have already visited the
place and would submit a report after which action, if
required, would be taken.
PTI
