 "2 killed, 12 injured in stampede after Mayawati's rally")
Two women were on Sunday killed and at least 12 people injured in a stampede after a massive rally by BSP chief Mayawati at the Kanshi Ram Smarak Maidan.
“A few people coming down the stairs at one of the two gates lost balance and fell on each other. Shanti Devi (68) of Bijnore and another unidentified woman were killed in the incident due to suffocation,” police said.
Rumours of a live power line having snapped triggered the stampede. The injured have been rushed to a local hospital, a BSP spokesperson said. BSP state unit chief Ram Achal Rajbhar, however, said the women died because of humidity and heat.
The BSP workers had gathered in large numbers at the ground on party founder Kanshi Ram’s 10th death anniversary.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those killed and issued directions to give proper treatment to the injured. BSP has also announced a solatium of Rs 5 lakh each for kin of the deceased.
A BSP spokesman said one of the injured is in a “very serious condition” and has been admitted to a trauma centre.
“A few people coming down the stairs at one of the two gates lost balance and fell on each other. Shanti Devi (68) of Bijnore and another unidentified woman were killed in the incident due to suffocation,” police said.
Rumours of a live power line having snapped triggered the stampede. The injured have been rushed to a local hospital, a BSP spokesperson said. BSP state unit chief Ram Achal Rajbhar, however, said the women died because of humidity and heat.
The BSP workers had gathered in large numbers at the ground on party founder Kanshi Ram’s 10th death anniversary.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those killed and issued directions to give proper treatment to the injured. BSP has also announced a solatium of Rs 5 lakh each for kin of the deceased.
A BSP spokesman said one of the injured is in a “very serious condition” and has been admitted to a trauma centre.