At least 19 people were killed and more than 50 were injured in a stampede at Rajghat Bridge between Varanasi and Chandauli in Uttar Pradesh. The chaos ensued during a gathering of devotees of spiritual leader Jai Gurudev. Police said the followers had been on their way to Domri village on the banks of the River Ganga for a two-day event, according to The Times of India.
Ambulances and doctors had reached the site soon after incident. District Magistrate of Chandauli Kumar Prashant said five of the injured were in a critical state. Uttar Pradesh Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Hari Ram Sharma said they will investigate who was responsible for making arrangements for crowd control, ANI reported.
According to a notice on the Jai Gurudev ashram website, a march was organised on October 15 to promote vegetarianism and spread awareness on the ill-effects of consuming alcohol. While authorities had sought permission for 3,000 people to participate in the event, more than a lakh took part in the procession to Domri village, The Times of India reported.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the stampede, whereas the critically injured will get Rs 50,000 each.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter that he was "deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede" and had spoken to authorities in Varanasi, his constituency, directing them to ensure "all possible help to those affected". Modi, too, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 to those wounded.
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