At least six people were killed and several others were injured in a tragic stampede at the famous Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar on Sunday morning. After this incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami immediately reached the hospital and knew the condition of the injured and assured them of all possible help. The Chief Minister has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into this unfortunate incident and has promised strict action against those who spread rumors.
Chief Minister Dhami has announced financial assistance of ₹ 2-2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹ 50,000 for the injured. Some seriously injured devotees have been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh for better treatment.
Causes of stampede: rumor of electric current?
Initial reports stated the rumor of the stampede to fall on the crowded path of a broken power line. However, Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Mansa Devi Temple Trust, has denied that it was an incident of electric current. He said, ‘There are three ways to go to Mansa Devi temple – ropeway, vehicle road and an ancient route directly from Har Ki Pauri … Police were informed when a huge crowd gathered here, barricades were installed, but still the crowd came up and some slipped, due to which the whole incident happened … When the officials of the temple reached the spot with the police, we reached the district hospital where they are not getting the district hospital … There are no indications … We will help the victims’ families.
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Superintendent Engineer Pradeep Kumar of UPCL (Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited) has also rejected the possibility of electric current. He said, ‘Today an unfortunate incident happened in which some devotees died. We had received preliminary information that the current was flowing there. We regularly check at this place. The entire system here is insulated … We have tested the entire space thoroughly, and there is no indication of electric leakage anywhere. There is no tripping or shutdown in the system, and the hospital has not registered any case of electric shock … The power system is completely safe here.
PM Modi expressed grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed deep grief over this sad incident and expressed his condolences to the affected families. He said that the local administration is providing all possible help to the affected people.
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Helpline released
The state secretary of disaster management said that special helpline numbers have been issued to get information about the dead or injured in the accident. Information can be obtained by contacting these numbers.
District Emergency Operations Center, Haridwar: 01334-223999, 9068197350 and 9528250926
State Emergency Operations Center, Dehradun: 0135-2710334, 2710335, 8218867005, and 9058441404