At the India, Today Conclave, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke in detail about the stampede that took place at the Kumbh on the day of Mauni Amavasya and the subsequent steps his government took to ensure the safety and security of cores of devotees.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared that the stampede that happened at the time of Mauni Amavasya Snan during the Kumbh Mela was an unfortunate event and after that, the government was only concerned about the safety of 8 crore devotees who were going to participate in the celebrations on the ill-fated day.
Addressing the India Today Conclave, Yogi Adityanath mentioned that the stampede occurred between 1:15 am and 1:30 am during the night of January 28 and 29. “The tragedy occurred when four crore devotees had already been inside the Kumbh campus,” he added.
As the holy Amrit Snan was to commence at 4 am, the administration was bracing for an enormous number of pilgrims. “We had calculated that approximately eight crore devotees would take part in the Mauni Amavasya Snan. Besides, close to two crore devotees were also halted at Jaunpur, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Kaushambi, Fatehpur and Chitrakoot,” Adityanath disclosed.
We had planned in all these locations for the devotees and planned for the devotees’ transport. We had bhandaras organized and for 24 hours, 2 crore people were halted here. Eight crores were in Prayagraj or on their way to Prayagraj. Being a responsible government, our first concern was that if a tragic accident occurred, we must get the injured to the hospital via a green corridor. The injured (in the stampede) were admitted to hospitals within 15 minutes,” Yogi Adityanath stated.
He added that 65 seriously injured people were admitted to hospital, and unfortunately, 30 died due to their injuries and they were handed over to their families. Besides mourning the tragedy, our concern was the safety of the 8 crore devotees,” Yogi Adityanath stated.
He stated that once the stampede took place, the officials were requested to request the Akhadas to postpone the scan. “We requested them to allow the devotees to take a dip first and after 12 pm we will make arrangements for their ritual bath,” said Yogi Adityanath.
