RANCHI/DEOGHAR: At least 10 devotees died and around 70 were injured in a stampede at the Baba Baidyanath Dham temple in Deoghar on Monday early morning. At least 16 of the injured are in a serious condition. Five out of the 10 killed have been identified and their bodies sent for post-mortem. Four seriously injured were taken to Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (Rims) in Ranchi whereas the rest were admitted to Deoghar district hospital and Lalita hospital .

The stampede took place at Belabagan near Satsang, about 10km from the temple premises, when thousands of pilgrims were queued up to offer water at the Baidyanath Dham shivalinga on the second somvari, which coincided with ekadashi, both considered auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. According to a communique issued from state headquarters, the stampede occurred when a group of kanwariays tried to force themselves forward.

Although the district administration and senior police officers remained tight-lipped on what caused the stampede, eyewitnesses alleged that the erratic behaviour of security personnel controlling the crowd and darkness were the reasons behind the tragedy. Sources said the stampede took place between 3:30am and 4am, when a policeman used his stick to disperse the kanwariays heading towards the temple premises.

SP P Murgan said, “We cannot not say much about the reasons behind the stampede, but 10 devotees, including a woman, have died. An inquiry will be conducted.”

A police personnel on duty told TOI: “Devotees started queuing from Belbagan to the temple premises around 2:30am. Within an hour, there were three parallel queues. The uncontrolled gathering became restless because of the darkness and potholes on the lane.”

Other witnesses alleged that a section of police provoked the devotees by throwing shoes at them. “It was around 4am when we were waiting for our turn, but movement of the queue stopped due to VIP darshan and government puja. We noticed that some policemen used their sticks and threw shoes and chappals at the devotees. A group of devotees tried to run away from the spot and the situation turned chaotic. I do not know what exactly forced the security personnel to take such a harsh and inhuman step against the devotees,” said Ranjit Shah, a 35-year-old who has been admitted to the Deoghar Sadar hospital .

Soon after receiving the information, chief minister Raghubar Das convened an urgent meeting at the state secretariat and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed in the stampede and an ex-gratia of Rs.50,000 to those injured. He spoke to governor Draupadi Murmu on the phone and assured that the government would make arrangements for sending the dead bodies to their respective home town with due honour. “Steps have been taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” Das said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Pained at loss of lives due to the stampede in Jharkhand . My thoughts & prayers are with the families of the deceased in this hour of grief.” He also spoke to chief minister Raghubar Das and asked him to take every measure to ensure relief to the victims. Home minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Das and expressed his concern.

Constituting an inquiry under additional chief secretary NN Pandey, CM deputed former DC of Deoghar and presently MD, Jharkhand Bidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) Rahul Purvar as special DC Deoghar to assist incumbent DC, Ameet Kumar and senior IPS officer ML Meena as special superintendent of police, Deoghar till further orders. Both the officers left for Deoghar at 3.30PM by helicopter to take charge. SP Vigilance Devendra Thakur and commandant JAP-4 Navin Sinha were also deputed later in the day to assist Meena in managing the affairs at Deoghar.

