Four devotees die in a stampede-like state of affairs throughout a non secular pageant in West Bengal

By Express News Service

KOLKATA: Four individuals, together with two ladies, died and a number of other others fell ailing in a stampede-like state of affairs in excessive warmth and humidity whereas attending a non secular pageant in North 24-Paraganas district’s Panihati on Sunday. The devotees, who turned up on the venue, complained of mismanagement and lack of vigil by police. The organisers needed to shut the doorway of the venue discovering an sudden move of devotees and the native authorities shut down the pageant.

The incident occurred on the Danda Mahotsav (pageant of punishment) organised yearly on the ISKCON temple in Panihati. At least 50 devotees, who fell ailing, have been taken to the close by healthcare centres.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee provided her condolences. ‘’Distressed to know of three previous devotees’ demise in Danda Mahotsav at ISKCON temple at Panihati. CP and DM have rushed, all assist being supplied. My condolences to the bereaved households, solidarity to devotees,’’ she tweeted.

Numerous folks collect on the venue yearly to mark the arrival of Shri Chaitanyadev from Puri on the best way to his abode at Nabadwip. ‘’This 12 months the pageant is organised after a niche two years due to the pandemic. We anticipated a footfall of round 2.5 lakh folks however the quantity was fourfold excessive this 12 months,’’ mentioned one of many organisers of the pageant.

Eyewitnesses instructed that there was widespread passage for each the incoming and outgoing devotees the place the state of affairs worsened. ‘’Many fell unconscious due to the strain of the gang. There was no policemen to manage the gang,’’ mentioned Tapan Byapari, one of many devotees who managed to come back out of the pageant venue.