Chhat stampede kills 20 people in Patna, opposition asks Nitish to quit

20 November, 2012

Another stampede tragedy on a festival has struck due to improper safety arrangements. This time it happened on the occasion of Chhat Puja in Patna.

REPORTEDLY, AT least 20 people have been killed in a stampede after a makeshift wooden bridge near Adalat Ghat in Patna collapsed on Monday evening during puja ceremonies. In the tragic incident, nine children have also been killed and at least 100 gravely injured, raising concerns that the death toll may go up.

The mishap took place when thousands of devotees were returning after offering obeisance to the setting sun on the third day of the festival of Chhat. The wooden bridge made by the district administration for the devotees to cross a drain before reaching the Ganga ghats collapsed.

With the collapse of the bridge, stampede occurred when devotees were returning after their holy dip into the Ganga River. The tragic incident occurred soon after Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi had finished their ride around various ghats to see the security arrangements.

It is said that since there were no proper arrangements to regulate the crowds, there was a mad scramble among the devotees to return home after the puja ceremony resulting in the collapse of the make-shift bridge. The local administration was caught unawares as they themselves were observing the festivals and taking part in the religious rituals.

After the collapse of the bridge, lots of people including women and children, fell over one another resulting in panic and stampede. Many died on the spot while others collapsed while being rushed to hospitals and while waiting to be admitted.

The tragedy-struck people were rushed to various government hospitals were doctors were found missing and services were found wanting. Heart rendering scenes were witnessed and people at the hospitals. Reportedly, the doctors and police officials were celebrating the festivals at their homes.

The opposition parties and their leaders have slammed CM Nitish Kumar and have demanded that he should take the responsibility for the tragic accident and resign from the post.