TV
In the wake of the tragic stampede at Saradhabali near Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Sunday acknowledged that there was clear negligence in managing the crowd during the Rath Yatra festivities and assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible.
The statement comes hours after a stampede claimed the lives of three devotees and left over 50 others injured.
Speaking to the media, the Minister said, “This is a very unfortunate incident. Mahaprabhu’s ‘Pahuda’ was completed at around 12:30 AM after completion of all rituals on time. Many people were sitting on the road waiting for the darshan to resume. When the ‘pahuda’ was reopened, the crowd surged, leading to chaos in which three people lost their lives.”
“Those who were injured are stable now. The Chief Minister has already discussed the mishap at different levels and assured through his social media post that stringent action will be taken against those found guilty,” the Minister said.
“Odisha DGP has already probed the incident and informed it to the Chief Minister. There was definitely negligence at some level. Whoever is responsible will not be spared. The Chief Minister has made it absolutely clear that there will be accountability, and necessary action will be taken. The next steps will be announced by the Chief Minister himself after reviewing the investigation report,” the Law Minister stated.
How The Stampede Unfolded
The stampede occurred around 4:20 am on Sunday when thousands of devotees had gathered at Saradhabali to have darshan of the Holy Trinity after the Pahuda ritual concluded and it reopened at 3:45 am.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the situation turned chaotic after two trucks carrying ‘charamala’ were allowed to enter the congested area, causing panic among the crowd. Amid the rush, several people fell and suffered breathlessness. Nine devotees were taken to hospital, of whom three, Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premakanta Mohanty, succumbed.
