PM Modi Expresses Grief Over Maha Kumbh Stampede, Assures Support for Victims

Politics Politics of India

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-01-29 09:28:22 |

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A tragic stampede occurred during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The incident took place early in the morning as massive crowds gathered for a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Reports indicate that the stampede began around 1 a.m. when an initial minor surge escalated, leading to chaos as devotees attempted to find exits, only to discover that some were closed. This led to a more significant stampede, causing numerous casualties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering his condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a swift recovery for the injured. He assured that authorities are providing full support to those affected.

In response to the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged devotees to utilize nearby riverbanks for the holy dip to prevent further overcrowding at the main site. Authorities have canceled the planned 'royal bath' and have intensified security measures, deploying additional medical personnel and implementing enhanced crowd management strategies to ensure the safety of the remaining festival participants.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is one of the world's largest religious gatherings, with expectations of over 400 million attendees over its six-week duration. Despite the implementation of advanced technologies, such as facial recognition and AI-based software for crowd management, the sheer volume of pilgrims has posed significant challenges.

This incident has cast a shadow over the festival, leading to scenes of chaos and desperation as attendees search for missing loved ones. Religious leaders have appealed to pilgrims to avoid the main bathing site and seek alternative locations to perform their rituals safely.

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have launched a high-level inquiry into the tragic Maha Kumbh Mela stampede, which resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries. The investigation aims to determine the cause of the incident, identify lapses in crowd control measures, and recommend improvements to prevent future tragedies.

Eyewitnesses report that panic spread rapidly as pilgrims attempted to exit congested areas, only to find that some routes were blocked. Survivors recount harrowing experiences of being trapped under falling devotees as the pressure of the crowd intensified. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police, worked through the night to provide aid and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

Hospitals in Prayagraj have been placed on high alert, with doctors and medical staff working around the clock to treat victims. The state government has announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for the injured. Meanwhile, the central government has pledged additional support to ensure that affected families receive necessary assistance.

Religious leaders and Kumbh Mela organizers have urged pilgrims to remain calm and follow safety guidelines. Several prominent Hindu seers have expressed their grief over the tragedy, calling for improved infrastructure and better crowd management at future religious gatherings.

The opposition has criticized the handling of the event, accusing the government of negligence in ensuring crowd safety. Political leaders have demanded accountability from officials responsible for planning and security arrangements.

Despite the tragedy, many devotees continue to participate in the Maha Kumbh Mela, albeit under heightened security measures. Authorities have increased surveillance, deployed more police personnel, and set up emergency response stations at key locations to prevent further incidents.

This incident has reignited discussions on the need for better crowd management at religious festivals in India, with experts calling for stricter regulations and enhanced technological interventions to prevent similar disasters in the future.

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