Dhaka, Dec 02: Fifty people, including women and children, were killed and dozens injured in a stampede in northern Bangladesh when thousands of poor rushed to collect clothes being distributed as charity.
The incident occurred yesterday in Gaibanda town, 300 km northwest of here, when poor people, mostly women, assembled in front of the house of a rich contractor cum textile mill owner to collect the clothes as part of `Zakat` ceremony, ahead of Eid-ul Fitr festival. As the gate of the house opened, the people rushed to collect clothes, resulting in stampede among those standing at the beginning of queue.
Forty-two people died on the spot and rest succumb to injuries in hospital, vernacular daily `The Jugantor` reported today, adding several among injured were in critical condition. Bodies, which were identified, have been given to their relatives by the authorities who also announced some compensation for the victims` families.

Two persons, including brother of the rich man at whose house the mishap took place, have been arrested on charges of negligence.
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, currently on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, directed an enquiry into the tragedy.

Despite repeated call by the government to deposit the ‘Zakat’ donation with official fund, many rich prefer to distribute it themselves.

Bureau Report