News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/9th July 2024
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the tragic stampede in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, has concluded that the event organizers were primarily responsible for the disaster that resulted in 121 deaths and numerous injuries. The SIT report was submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday.
The stampede occurred during a religious gathering presided over by a self-styled godman named Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as ‘Bhole Baba’. The report, prepared by Additional Director General of Police (Agra) Anupam Kulshreshtha and Aligarh Divisional Commissioner Chaitra V, includes testimonies from 128 witnesses, including police officers on duty at the event.
The investigation revealed that the committee organizing the ‘satsang’ was responsible for inviting more people than the sanctioned number and failing to ensure adequate arrangements at the venue. Although permission was granted for around 80,000 attendees, over 2 lakh people attended the satsang, leading to chaos and the subsequent stampede.
The report, which includes statements from 119 individuals, has been submitted to the state Home Department. Chief Minister Adityanath is expected to review it soon. The findings indicate that the organizers’ negligence in crowd management and safety protocols directly contributed to the tragedy.
The initial FIR registered in connection with the ‘satsang’ indicated that the organizers sought permission for a gathering of 80,000 people. However, a crowd of 2.5 lakh showed up, overwhelming the venue’s capacity and leading to the fatal stampede. As a result, nine individuals, including the main organizer of the July 2 event, Devprakash Madhukar, have been arrested.
Narayan Sakar Hari, the self-styled godman who presided over the event, has not been named an accused in the FIR and has been on the run since the incident. His lawyer, AP Singh, has stated that the preacher is willing to cooperate with the investigators. Singh also suggested a conspiracy, claiming that unidentified individuals sprayed poison at the event, triggering the stampede.
The SIT’s findings underscore the importance of adhering to crowd management protocols and ensuring the safety of attendees at large gatherings. The organizers’ failure to control the number of attendees and provide adequate safety measures led to a preventable tragedy that has left many families grieving.
In the aftermath of the stampede, there has been a call for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent such incidents in the future. Ensuring that event organizers comply with safety guidelines and are held accountable for their actions is crucial in safeguarding public gatherings.
The Hathras stampede serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of large gatherings when proper safety measures are not in place. The SIT report highlights the need for comprehensive planning and coordination between event organizers and authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees.
As the investigation continues, there will likely be increased scrutiny on the actions of the organizers and the measures that could have been taken to prevent such a disaster. The findings of the SIT report are expected to lead to policy changes and more stringent enforcement of safety regulations for public events in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
