Ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the family of the deceased was announced by PM Modi.
24 people were killed and 50 injured in a stampede on an overcrowded Rajghat bridge on the border of Varanasi and Chandauli when followers of a religious leader were crossing it to attend a congregation on Saturday afternoon.
The incident took place in Ramnagar police station area of Varanasi when thousands of followers of Jai Gurudev were proceeding towards Domri village in Chandauli for the two-day samagam (camp) which began today, ADG (Law and Order) Daljit Chaudhary said.
PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MP from Varanasi, expressed anguish over the incident and asked senior officials in Varanasi to take stock of the situation. He also announced a solatium of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has directed the Commissioner, Varanasi, to institute a magisterial inquiry into the incident. He extended an ex gratia of Rs five lakh each to next of kin of those killed and free treatment to the injured, who have been admitted to different hospitals in Varanasi and Chandauli.
RAJNATH SINGH SPEAKS TO VARANASI COMMISSIONER
"I've spoken to the Commissioner of Varanasi who apprised me of the situation. I also asked the Varanasi Commissioner to provide all possible help to those affected by the tragedy. There have been loss of lives and people have been injured also. It is a sad incident," Rajnath Singh said.
"Deeply pained by the loss of lives in stampede at Varanasi. My condolences with bereaved families. Prayers for speedy recovery of injured. Health Secretary, GOI has spoken to the Health Sec & other Senior Officials of Uttar Pradesh & have assured them all the necessary support," Union Health Minister JP Nadda tweeted.
OPPN HOLD UP GOVT RESPONSIBLE
BJP blamed authorities for lack of arrangements and management at the bridge which led to the stampede in which several lives were lost.
"Proper arrangements should have been made for such a big congregation at the Jai Gurudev samagam which was not done...Even the local intelligence unit failed to give any input in this regard which resulted in mismanagement and loss of life," BJP state unit president Keshav Prasad Maurya said.
PTI
BSP supremo Mayawati said it is the responsibility of the state government and local administration to ensure proper arrangements and police force for such public functions so that no untoward incident occurs which was however not done in Varanasi.
Congress communications department chairman Satyadev Tripathi said Varanasi incident is the fallout of "administrative failure".
(With Agency Inputs)
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