Three women were killed in a stampede outside the district's Khatu Shyamji temple when people waiting in queues tried to rush in as its doors opened in the early hours of Monday.

IMAGE: A police woman condoles relatives of a victim after an incident of stampede at Khatu Shyam Ji temple, in Sikar district of Rajasthan, on Monday, August 8, 2022. Photograph: PTI Photo

Four others were injured in the incident on a day when tens of thousands of people from Rajasthan and neighbouring states were headed to the famous temple to mark “Gyaras” or “Ekadashi”.

Sikar Collector Avichal Chaturvedi said close to one lakh people were outside the main gate, queuing up after the doors closed the previous night.

The stamped took place a little before 4.30 a.m. There was rush to enter and a woman fell, triggering the brief stampede that also killed two others, according to officials.

“Prima facie, they died of suffocation but the exact cause of death will be clear after post-mortem,” Chaturvedi told reporters.

“The incident is unfortunate. The women fell due to the pressure of the crowd in their line. The lines for the entry to the temple start at different points and converge at the entry point,” he said.

Superintendent of Police K Rashtradeep said a 63-year-old woman who suffered from a heart ailment collapsed. “Two women behind her too fell due to the rush.”

Victim Shanti Devi's brother Mangat Ram was among those in the queue.

"The stampede took place as soon as the temple opened for prayers. Somehow, we managed to escape. My sister was old, she got stuck and died. Others from my family suffered injuries," he said.

Police have suspended the local station house officer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed grief over the deaths.

The collector said two or three lakh people have visited the temple, located 45 km from Sikar city, over the last couple of days alone. About 40 lakh devotees have come over the past fortnight, he said.

“Lakhs of devotees visit the temple during the month of Phalgun every year and elaborate arrangements are made for crowd control. We are now examining what alternative arrangements can be made to handle big crowds on such days,” he said.

Officials said the number of devotees has increased after Covid restrictions ended.

A fair is held at Khatu Shyamji on Phalgun Ekadashi every year.

During these 10-15 days, authorities block the internal roads in the area as part of crowd management. “This affects the local people but we manage it. Now we are looking for alternatives for crowd management during Ekadashi as well,” the collector said.

SP Rashtradeep said the Khatu Shyamji SHO has been suspended.

“There was a heavy rush outside the temple. The pressure of people mounted as soon as the gates of the temple opened, which led to the situation that left three women dead. The situation was not handled well. Therefore, SHO Riya Chaudhary was suspended,” he said.

The victims were identified as Shanti Devi (Hisar, Haryana), Maya Devi (Uttar Pradesh), and Kripa Devi (Jaipur).

Shanti Devi's daughter Poonam was in tears.

"We were all standing together in the queue when we felt a sudden push from behind and all of us fell. My mother died," she said.

Prime Minister Modi tweeted, "Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at the Khatu Shyamji Temple complex in Sikar, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that those who are injured recover at the earliest."

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot too expressed grief.

"The death of three women due to a stampede in Khatu Shyam Ji in Sikar is very sad and unfortunate. My deepest condolences are with the bereaved family members," he tweeted in Hindi.

He said an inquiry will be conducted by the divisional commissioner. The families of the dead will be given Rs 5 lakh each from the chief minister's relief fund. The injured will get Rs 20,000 each.

On Facebook, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi offered condolences.

"The news of stampede at Khatu Shyam Ji's fair in Sikar is very saddening. I wish the injured a speedy recovery and peace to the departed souls. I also express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives."

"I appeal to all the Congress workers of Rajasthan to help the local people, along with the administration, at the earliest," Gandhi added.

Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, BJP state president Satish Poonia and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje were among the other leaders who condoled the deaths.

Raje demanded an investigation and action against the guilty so that such incidents do not recur.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has faulted the latest sack of senior management staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The commission stated thursday that the random selection method used by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of NDDC to sack its top management staff is strange to the commission.

The FCSC Director of Discipline and Appeals, Ojuh Agatha, told the Senator Peter Nwaoboshi- led Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs that the method of sack is strange and unknown to the civil service, and a breach of the Civil Service rule.

According to her, if there was an established prima facie evidence against any officer, such official will be suspended in order to ensure that there was unhindered investigation.

She said the commission was aware of the development in the NDDC, adding that due processes were not observed by the commission prior to the sack of the management staff.

Speaking earlier, counsel to the sacked NDDC staff, Patrick Akan, said the sacked workers were opposed to the complete breach of procedure and recklessness in stealing public funds and advised against it.

He said there was no procedure for their removal as the exercise was carried out randomly by the IMC.

Akan called for the immediate reversal of what he described as illegal disciplinary action taken against the affected senior management staff of the NDDC through mandatory leave and compulsory retirement.

He posited “that under the law and the NDDC Conditions of Service, only a legally constituted governing board has the power to authorise and approve the promotion of officers on grade level 14 and above. It is also the board that is vested with the power to discipline this category of senior staff in accordance with the law.”

He added that the affected staff did not have the right of fair hearing and that the action taken against them did not follow the procedure prescribed by the conditions of service.

Committee Chairman, Nwaoboshi, in his remarks, said the investigation has nothing to do with the alleged recklessness in the IMC, but for the sacked management staff.

Nwaoboshi, who explained that the investigation was necessitated by the petition forwarded to the Senate by the affected staff, said as people’s representative, it was within their parliamentary responsibility to listen, reiterating that no amount of intimidation and blackmail would stop the investigation.

Sikar (Rajasthan), Aug 8 (PTI) Three women were killed in a stampede outside the district’s Khatu Shyamji temple when people waiting in queues tried to rush in as its doors opened in the early hours of Monday.

Four others were injured in the incident on a day when tens of thousands of people from Rajasthan and neighbouring states were headed to the famous temple to mark “Gyaras” or “Ekadashi”.

Sikar Collector Avichal Chaturvedi said close to one lakh people were outside the main gate, queuing up after the doors closed the previous night.

The stamped took place a little before 4.30 a.m. There was rush to enter and a woman fell, triggering the brief stampede that also killed two others, according to officials.

“Prima facie, they died of suffocation but the exact cause of death will be clear after post-mortem,” Chaturvedi told reporters.

“The incident is unfortunate. The women fell due to the pressure of the crowd in their line. The lines for the entry to the temple start at different points and converge at the entry point,” he said.

Superintendent of Police K Rashtradeep said a 63-year-old woman who suffered from a heart ailment collapsed. “Two women behind her too fell due to the rush.” Victim Shanti Devi’s brother Mangat Ram was among those in the queue.

“The stampede took place as soon as the temple opened for prayers. Somehow, we managed to escape. My sister was old, she got stuck and died. Others from my family suffered injuries,” he said.

Police have suspended the local station house officer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed grief over the deaths.

The collector said two or three lakh people have visited the temple, located 45 km from Sikar city, over the last couple of days alone. About 40 lakh devotees have come over the past fortnight, he said.

“Lakhs of devotees visit the temple during the month of Phalgun every year and elaborate arrangements are made for crowd control. We are now examining what alternative arrangements can be made to handle big crowds on such days,” he said.

Officials said the number of devotees has increased after Covid restrictions ended.

A fair is held at Khatu Shyamji on Phalgun Ekadashi every year.

During these 10-15 days, authorities block the internal roads in the area as part of crowd management. “This affects the local people but we manage it. Now we are looking for alternatives for crowd management during Ekadashi as well,” the collector said.

SP Rashtradeep said the Khatu Shyamji SHO has been suspended.

“There was a heavy rush outside the temple. The pressure of people mounted as soon as the gates of the temple opened, which led to the situation that left three women dead. The situation was not handled well. Therefore, SHO Riya Chaudhary was suspended,” he said.

The victims were identified as Shanti Devi (Hisar, Haryana), Maya Devi (Uttar Pradesh), and Kripa Devi (Jaipur).

Shanti Devi’s daughter Poonam was in tears.

“We were all standing together in the queue when we felt a sudden push from behind and all of us fell. My mother died,” she said.

Prime Minister Modi tweeted, “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at the Khatu Shyamji Temple complex in Sikar, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that those who are injured recover at the earliest.” Chief minister Ashok Gehlot too expressed grief.

“The death of three women due to a stampede in Khatu Shyam Ji in Sikar is very sad and unfortunate. My deepest condolences are with the bereaved family members,” he tweeted in Hindi.

He said an inquiry will be conducted by the divisional commissioner. The families of the dead will be given Rs 5 lakh each from the chief minister’s relief fund. The injured will get Rs 20,000 each.

On Facebook, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi offered condolences.

“The news of stampede at Khatu Shyam Ji’s fair in Sikar is very saddening. I wish the injured a speedy recovery and peace to the departed souls. I also express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.” “I appeal to all the Congress workers of Rajasthan to help the local people, along with the administration, at the earliest,” Gandhi added.

Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, BJP state president Satish Poonia and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje were among the other leaders who condoled the deaths.

Raje demanded an investigation and action against the guilty so that such incidents do not recur. PTI COR SDA AG CJ ASH ASH

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The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to take immediate steps to get every damaged or potholed roads under its control repaired through its concessionaires or contractor in a week.

Observing that the court could not let the roads in the State be “killing fields”, Justice Devan Ramachandran directed all the District Collectors in their capacity as head of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to issue orders with respect to any road on which potholes are found and take necessary action against the jurisdictional engineer or contractors or any other persons responsible for its poor maintenance.

The court also directed the NHAI to conduct an inquiry into the accident in which a scooter rider died after his two-wheeler fell into a big pothole at Athani near Nedumbassery and accidents that occurred in another stretch that had gone into disrepair and to file a report fixing the responsibility on the concessionaire or contractors concerned.

The court observed that the District Collectors could not be mere spectators and act only when an accident took place. They were enjoined to act to avoid it. It was the true spirit of the Disaster Management Act. The Collector in his/her capacity as head of the DDMA had a definite role to play.

The Act empowered the collectors to take action to avoid accidents which included mishaps or manmade calamity. A road being potholed and craters being allowed to be formed were certainly manmade causes, particularly because it could only be seen as on account of the total negligence or indifference of the concerned authorities, including engineers as also the concessionaires and contractors.

It was certainly for the District Collector to act proactively to ensure that such accidents did not happen whether it was on the national highway or Public Works department (PWD) roads or roads under the local self-government institutions.

The court observed that even isolated incidents would have to be taken note of and acted upon, fixing the full responsibility on the contractor and the engineers concerned.

The court also pointed out that prima facie, the collection of tolls on the roads would pre-suppose the responsibility of the concessionaires or the competent authorities to maintain the roads in the best manner possible. That was the right of the citizen and certainly one that will impel the court to issue orders in the future.

The court issued the directives in a case relating to road repairs that came up for hearing.

The amicus curiae appointed in the case submitted that Section 198A(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act prescribed punishment with a fine of up to ₹1 lakh and payment of compensation to the families of those who died due to the failure to maintain the roads properly. It was also pointed out that Section 8B of the National Highways Act provided for compensation and damages in cases where anyone caused distress or damage to highways.

The counsel for the NHAI submitted that the agreements with the concessionaires by the NHAI specifically enumerated the responsibility of the concessionaires to pay damages and compensation in the event of accidents, injuries and death.

The government pleader submitted that criminal l investigation into the accident at Nedumbassery was under way, and the concessionaire of the NHAI had been arraigned as an accused.

It is, however, not known when the spurious liquor was consumed as the family members of the victims are not ready to share information

Representative image. Pic/Istock

At least seven people died and 15 others fell ill with some of them even losing their eyesight in a suspected hooch tragedy in Saran district of dry Bihar, officials said on Friday.

It is, however, not known when the spurious liquor was consumed as the family members of victims are not ready to share information.

Saran district magistrate Rajesh Meena said all the cases were reported from villages falling under Maker police station area and more than 10 people among the seriously ill have suffered loss of vision."

"Prima facie it appears that the villagers had consumed spurious liquor. Five people died here while two deaths occurred at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) where those who have fallen seriously ill were referred on Thursday," he said.

Saran Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar said "We are conducting raids in Maker, Marhaura and Bheldi police station areas to nab the suspected bootleggers. We will be able to state the number of arrests after the operation is over."

Also Read: Gujarat hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 40; 10 people held so far for selling spurious liquor

Asked when the deceased and the ill had consumed the liquor, the SP said that it will be known after investigation. "Family members are not forthcoming with the information," he said.

To another query, Kumar said that two victims died at PMCH on Thursday. "We are not sure of the other deaths as the bodies were cremated without informing the police or a post mortem".

Local residents said on condition of anonymity that the drunken revelry began on Tuesday night and continued through the early hours of Wednesday.

They said consumption of intoxicants like cannabis has been a custom during Nag Panchami festival, which fell on August 2 this year, and some took alcohol for intoxication.

State minister Ashok Choudhary, a key aide of Nitish Kumar, told reporters in Patna that all the accused will be apprehended and brought to justice. "Action will also be taken against those police personnel whose laxity, or even complicity, may have led to the incident".

Asked about questions being raised over feasibility of prohibition law in the light of hooch cases being reported regularly, Choudhary shot back "Dowry deaths have not stopped, nor have rapes. But that does not mean we scrap laws against these crimes".

More than 50 people have died in hooch tragedies in the state, declared a dry state over six years ago, since November 2021.

Saran itself had reported five hooch deaths in January this year. In July two persons had died after consuming spurious liquor in Patna.

Sale and consumption of liquor were completely banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April, 2016, following an electoral promise the chief minister had made to the women of Bihar ahead of state polls held in the previous year.

However, implementation of the stringent prohibition law has often been criticised by the opposition parties, the courts and also ruling alliance partners like former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.

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