Patna, Aug 17 (IANS) Bihar Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Monday termed the stampede at the Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai as tragic and unfortunate. He assured all possible assistance to the affected families and said that those responsible for the incident would face strict action.
Sinha said he was leaving Patna to meet the families of those who died in the incident.
Speaking to IANS, the Bihar Minister said, “It is very tragic and unfortunate. I am also going there. The incident occurred outside the temple premises after a pole and electrical wires fell. People spread a rumour that there was an electric current, which led to the stampede. We have spoken to the District Magistrate and the temple authorities, and we are going there to assess the situation. The incident will be investigated, and those responsible will face action.”
“I have also spoken to the Chief Minister and directed that medical arrangements be given the highest priority. Whoever is found responsible will be punished,” he added.
Sinha said the situation was normal when he spoke to people at the temple around 5:30 a.m.
“Whatever happened is extremely painful. I spoke to the people present there at around 5:30 a.m. Everything was fine at that time. I even made a video call and saw the situation. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. Only the families who have lost their loved ones can understand the pain caused by this tragedy. I am going to meet them right now,” he said.
The Minister assured the affected families that the government would provide all possible assistance.
“We will provide every possible help and stand with the families during this difficult time,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the Ashok Dham temple stampede, which claimed seven lives, and offered condolences to the victims’ families. He described it as extremely tragic and heart-wrenching.
CM Choudhary took to his social media ‘X’ and said, “The incident at Ashok Dham in Lakhisarai is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching.”
“The news of the deaths of devotees in the accident has left my heart deeply distressed. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families,” he said.
“Necessary instructions have been issued to the administration for the proper and expeditious treatment of the injured. May God grant peace to the departed souls and a swift recovery to the injured,” the Bihar CM said.
At least seven people were killed, and more than 12 were injured in a stampede outside the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district.
The incident triggered chaos at the temple premises as a large number of devotees had gathered to offer prayers and perform rituals on the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan.
An electric wire reportedly fell, triggering panic among the crowd. Rumours then spread among the devotees, causing panic. Many devotees rushed in different directions in an attempt to escape. A stampede ensued, leaving several devotees trapped and crushed under one another.
–IANS
jk/dpb
