Seven Killed in Maha Kumbh Stampede
Seven persons, five of them women and an infant, have been killed in a stampede at Maha Kumbh in Haridwar, said media reports.
The incident took place in the morning as Sadhus were preparing to begin their Peshwai (procession) for the biggest Kumbh Shahi Snan on the occasion of Baisakhi, reports said.
According to various reports, a Tavera car allegedly belonging to a Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhada forced its way on Birla Ghat bridge which was abounding with people at that time. The car hit a woman along with an infant at a spot, killing both of them, which led to a conflict between people and sadhus and a stamped followed.
The incident occurred when the peak hour rush to bathe had gone up before Har ki Paudi – situated some 1 km from the spot – was to be closed for Shahi Snan, reports said.
A part of bridge came off in the stampede in which nearly 6 people fell into the river Ganga, said reports.
Of them, five were rescued while one was washed away by river stream, reports said.
The incident provoked the Juna Akhada, the largest Akhada to lead the Shahi Snan at Har ki Paudi, to protest, and the Snan could finally start at 11.30 passing off peacefully with Niranjani Akhada leading the pack of Naga Sadhus for the ceremonial snan, said reports.
In the meanwhile, Uttarakhand CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the bereaved families of those killed, reports said.
(Based on internet reports)
