Nalanda (Bihar), Mar 31: At least eight women were killed and six others injured in a stampede-like situation at the Sheetala Mata temple in Maghra area of Nalanda district on Tuesday morning, triggered by a heavy rush of devotees.
Bihar Sharif Assistant Superintendent of Police Noorul Haque said police and district administration teams rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations. The injured were shifted to a government hospital in Bihar Sharif for treatment.
According to officials and locals, panic spread among devotees following a sudden rumour, leading to chaos and a stampede-like situation. Several people fell during the rush, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Local residents, along with police and administrative authorities, assisted in evacuating the victims. A local, Lalit Kumar, said the large gathering due to Mahavir Jayanti led to overcrowding, and the situation worsened after barricades broke.
Another local, Sahil Raj, who lost his mother in the incident, alleged lack of proper arrangements at the mela. Some devotees also claimed that crowd control measures were inadequate and alleged use of force to disperse people.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary termed the incident “extremely heartbreaking” and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He said the government is providing all possible assistance and ensuring proper treatment of the injured. (Agencies)
