HATHRAS: Commotion and
chaos
possibly caused the
stampede
after personal security guards of
Narayan Sakar Hari Bhole Baba
pushed some followers, leading to the death of 121 people at Fulrai village in
Hathras
district on Tuesday, read the preliminary report filed by Ravindra Kumar, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Sikandra Rao. It was Kumar who had given permission for the satsang.
In a report to Hathras district magistrate, Kumar said when the baba was leaving the venue, his followers started running towards him to catch a glimpse and collect soil from around his feet.
"The baba reached the venue at 12.30pm and the event went on for an hour. When he was leaving the venue, people started rushing towards him to seek his blessings. A large number of people were already standing on the divider on GT road and they too started running towards him," the SDM said in his report.
The report added that the preacher's private security guards and 'sevadars' pushed some followers in a bid to stop them from going too close to the preacher. Several people fell after they were pushed, leading to panic and the crowd went out of control.
"To get relief from the chaos, people rushed towards the open field nearby, where several people slipped on a slope and others trampled upon them while trying to leave the satsang venue in a haste," the report added. The field was filled with water and slush due to the rain.
An eyewitness said people kept pleading with the 'sevadars' to allow them to pass as the crowd was piling up and they were unable to breathe due to the intense humidity. The guards however insisted that "pehle baba ji jayenge, fir bhakt (Baba will leave first, then the followers)."
DM Ashish Kumar said the satsang was a private function for which the SDM had granted permission. The administration provided security outside the venue, while arrangements inside were made by the organisers.
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