Wednesday, May 13, 2026
ADVT 
India

Toll in Patna stampede rises to 33, probe begins

Darpan News Desk IANS, 04 Oct, 2014 09:25 AM
    The toll in a stampede after the burning of the Ravana effigy at the Gandhi Maidan here rose to 33 Saturday after the death of a child, an official said.
     
    "The condition of at least five seriously injured people is critical," a Patna district official said.
     
    Thirty-two people, including women and children, had died in the stampede Friday evening. 
     
    Bihar Police said 29 people are seriously injured and undergoing treatment at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) here.
     
    Additional Director General of Police Gupteshwar Pandey said that he, along with Principal Home Secretary Amir Shubani, visited the spot to inquire into the cause of the stampede.
     
    "We have formally began an inquiry into the cause of the stampede that resulted in deaths of so many people, mostly women and children," Pandey told reporters.
     
    Pandey said police have been scanning the CCTV footage also.
     
    Water Resources Minister Vijay Choudhary said the state government would take action against officials if they are found guilty. "Action would be initiated after the inquiry," he said.
     
    In view of the incident, Urban Development Minister Samrat Choudhary has cancelled his England visit.
     
    Meanwhile, a group of angry people Saturday protested at the Ramghulam square near Gandhi Maidan. They attacked and damaged half a dozen vehicles, forcing police to resort to lathi charge to disperse them.
     
    Additional security forces have been deployed to deal with protestors.
     
    "Rapid Action Force and Bihar Military Police were deployed at Gandhi Maidan and nearby areas...," a police official said.
     
    Health Minister Ramdhani Singh visited the PMCH and met injured people.
     
    According to district officials, rumours that a live high tension wire had fallen to the ground led to the stampede.
     
    Patna District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma and Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj at a joint press meet here Saturday ruled out administrative lapses.
     
    "Most of the people died due to suffocation and breathlessness during stampede," Verma said.
     
    Both claimed that four gates of Gandhi Maidan were opened and there was adequate arrangement.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Dec 16 victim's father, activists condemn Mulayam's rape remark

    Dec 16 victim's father, activists condemn Mulayam's rape remark
    Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's comments on rape Friday attracted widespread outrage with political parties, tinsel town celebrities and the father of the Dec 16, 2012 rape victim condemning it roundly.

    Dec 16 victim's father, activists condemn Mulayam's rape remark

    Now Rahul attacks Modi over marital status, Congress files complaint

    Now Rahul attacks Modi over marital status, Congress files complaint
    The Congress Friday upped the ante in this bitterly fought election, when it complained to the Election Commission against Narendra Modi for filing wrong affidavits, the move coming hours after its leader Rahul Gandhi launched a rare personal attack on the BJP prime ministerial candidate for hiding his marital status.

    Now Rahul attacks Modi over marital status, Congress files complaint

    Registered NRI voters overseas will have to wait for future elections

    Registered NRI voters overseas will have to wait for future elections
    NRIs who are registered voters in India will not be able to vote from their foreign locations as Supreme Court Friday accepted that the Election Commission faced statutory and logistic impediments in extending overseas voting facilities to them.

    Registered NRI voters overseas will have to wait for future elections

    Ouch! Rahul Gandhi targets Modi's personal life

    Ouch! Rahul Gandhi targets Modi's personal life
    Addressing an election rally in Doda town of Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, Gandhi said: "Narendra Modi has fought many elections in the past, but not once did he disclose the name of his wife nor even admit he is married.

    Ouch! Rahul Gandhi targets Modi's personal life

    Why Acknowledgement of wife may not damage Narendra Modi

    Why Acknowledgement of wife may not damage Narendra Modi
    Renunciation of family life is a tradition in India's public life, going back to Mohandas K. Gandhi, who was married but took a vow of celibacy. Gandhi spoke of his wish to be 'God's eunuch,' and a 'eunuch for the nation

    Why Acknowledgement of wife may not damage Narendra Modi

    Indian Voters flaunt 'Inked Finger' on Social Networking Sites

    Indian Voters flaunt 'Inked Finger' on Social Networking Sites
    Expressing pride and exuberance after casting their ballot, voters - young and not so young - have taken to the social media across India, flaunting their inked finger as proof of exercise of their democratic right and are urging others to vote.

    Indian Voters flaunt 'Inked Finger' on Social Networking Sites