Condoling the loss of lives in the stampede at Allahabad, BJP President Rajnath Singh on Monday said the incident could have been avoided if adequate precautions had been taken at the railway station teeming with thousands of Kumbh pilgrims. Demanding an investigation into the incident, he said those responsible for it should be punished. "I believe that if precautions could have been taken at the railway station earlier, this incident could have been avoided," he said.

"Whoever is responsible for this must be punished. I offer my condolences to all the grieving families," he said.

A stampede broke out at the Allahabad Railway Station yesterday, leaving 36 people dead. The stampede occurred at Platforms No 5 and 6 where thousands of passengers, mostly Maha Kumbh devotees returning after taking the holy dip at the Sangam, had gathered to board
a train.