Expressing profound grief over the loss of lives in the stampede at Gandhi Maidan, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday hit out at the Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Bihar Government and asked why proper arrangements were not made on the day of Vijayadashami.
Prasad, who met the victims at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) here, said that thirty-three people lost their lives in the stampede because of apathy and indifference.
"Why were proper arrangements not made? If the allegation is true that only one gate was open, why it is so? If people say that there was no light, why it is so? I think this is a very elementary accountability which the state government has to explain," said Prasad.
"The Prime Minister talked to the Chief Minister of Bihar yesterday. He has send me to Patna..... Rajnathji, the honourable Home Minister talked to the Chief Minister yesterday night, this morning; extending full cooperation including medical help. A special helicopter was ready to carry specialist doctors but the Chief Minister said that we don't need any medical help. NDRF team is here," he added.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Manu Maharaj, earlier today denied reports that only one gate of the venue was open.
"Of the four gates, apart from the VIP gate, the other three gates were open. We have the CCTV footage, which shows clear inflow and outflow of the crowd. The police force was deployed on all the gates and Additional SP-level officers were positioned there in sufficient numbers," he said.
Manu Maharaj also refuted the charges of police baton charging people at the venue.
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"There has been no baton charge and nowhere were people pushing each other and running. We are getting this investigated. Had there been a baton charge, and people running, the CCTV footage would have shown it," Maharaj said.
"So, there has been no baton charge and we have the CCTV cameras installed on all four gates of the Gandhi Maidan," he added.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has condoled the loss of precious lives in the stampede and wished for speedy recovery of those injured.
The Home Minister had a telephonic conversation again today with the Chief Minister, who apprised him of the latest developments.
The Home Minister assured the Chief Minister of all help from the Centre including the medical help and asked him to provide better medical treatment to those injured.
Thirty-three people lost their lives and several injured in the stampede that took place at the Gandhi Maidan last evening during the Dussehra celebrations.
The district administration has issued 0612-22219810 and 9431800675 helplines for query regarding the stampede tragedy.
All the patients are provided free of cost treatment at the PMCH.
