Tuesday, May 12, 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

    Dell shuts shop in Mohali, future of 1,000 staffers uncertain

    Dell shuts shop in Mohali, future of 1,000 staffers uncertain
    The Punjab government's recent moves to secure investments for the state, especially in the information technology and software sectors, suffered a setback with US-headquartered Dell Corporation announcing the shutting down of its facility in Mohali, adjoining Chandigarh.

    Dell shuts shop in Mohali, future of 1,000 staffers uncertain

    John Kerry congratulates Sushma Swaraj

    John Kerry congratulates Sushma Swaraj
    US Secretary of State John Kerry called up External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to congratulate her, an official said Thursday.

    John Kerry congratulates Sushma Swaraj

    Did Modi bully Nawaz Sharif over terrorism?

    Did Modi bully Nawaz Sharif over terrorism?
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi "bullied" his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif over terrorism at their first meeting, a writer in a Pakistani newspaper said Thursday.

    Did Modi bully Nawaz Sharif over terrorism?

    Congress suspends Kerala leader calling Rahul a 'joker'

    Congress suspends Kerala leader calling Rahul a 'joker'
    Senior Congress leader T.H.Mustafa, who called Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi a "joker" and demanded he quit party posts, has been suspended from the party, a party leader said Thursday.

    Congress suspends Kerala leader calling Rahul a 'joker'

    Modi focus on governance, asks ministers for 100-day timetable

    Modi focus on governance, asks ministers for 100-day timetable
    Taking steps to fulfil his avowed agenda of good governance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday asked his ministers to come up with a plan of action for the first 100 days, lay thrust on efficiency and delivery in their work and give quick response to representations from states and public representatives.

    Modi focus on governance, asks ministers for 100-day timetable

    South Asian nations have big hopes from Modi

    South Asian nations have big hopes from Modi
    Member nations of the South Asian regional grouping Saarc lay big hopes in the new Indian government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with their respective media Wednesday reflecting the region's collective optimism over India's new leadership.

    South Asian nations have big hopes from Modi