Political blame game erupts after 4 die in Bihar stampede

PATNA: A stampede broke out in Bihar's Begusarai district on Friday when a huge crowd had gathered to take holy dip on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. 

At least four people were killed and several were injured in the incident. 

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his grief over the incident and announced a compensation to the families of those killed in the incident. He also announced a free treatment for those injured in the mishap. However, it doesn't end here.

Witnesses present at the place of the accident told reporters that someone from the crowd spread a rumour which led to the stampede. However, as per locals, gross negligence on the part of the government is said to be real cause behind the incident. 

Hundreds of people were expected to take part in the early morning ritual. However, no advance preparations were made by the authorities. 

Such events are held under the supervision of Sub-Divisional Magistrate and District Magistrate. Here again, the local authorities were ill-prepared to tackle the growing crowd at the ghat.

Basic arrangements like watchtower or loudspeakers, that are required at the place of large gatherings, too were nowhere to be seen.

As per another report, following the stampede, the locals themselves began to carry out the rescue efforts due to the absence of rescue workers at the place. 

Meanwhile, Begusarai SP Aditya Kumar, while speaking to a media group, rejected the stampede report. As per Kumar, the women died due to suffocation in the huge crowd at Begusarai's Simaria ghat that had gathered on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. 

"The deceased were of very old age and perhaps died due to suffocation amid the huge crowd," the SP was quoted as saying.

Contrary to this, Sadar SDPO Mithilesh Kumar said the three women died due to cold after taking bath in the river.

On the political front, losing no opportunity to attack Nitish government, former state minister Tejashwi Yadav asked the Bihar CM to take the moral responsibility of the incident. 

मृतक परिवारों के लिए प्रार्थना। प्रशासनिक स्तर पर भी भीड़ को देखते हुए कोई खास इंतजाम नहीं थे।नीतीश सरकार को ज़िम्मेवारी लेनी चाहिए। https://t.co/Nye2XIr3JR — Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) November 4, 2017

Reactions from Nitish-led Janata Dal (United) remain awaited!