Three women were killed and four other devotees injured in a stampede outside Khatu Shyam Temple in Rajasthan’s Sikar district on Monday, a police officer said.
The three were identified as Shanti Devi from Haryana’s Hissar, Kripa Devi (Jaipur), and Uttar Pradesh’s Maya Devi.
Sikar Police superintendent Kunwar Rashtradeep said that the stampede occurred a few metres ahead of the temple’s entry point around 5am when the shrine was opened.
“There were long queues outside the temple. In one queue, a 63-old-woman, with a heart problem, collapsed, and due to heavy rush...two more women behind her also fell and died,” said Rashtradeep. He added that devotees start queuing up hours before the temple is opened.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those who offered his condolences to the families of the three. “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at the Khatu Shyamji Temple complex in Sikar, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that those who are injured recover at the earliest,” he tweeted.
Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot also offered his condolences. “The death of three women devotees in a stampede outside Khatushyamji’s temple in Sikar is very sad and unfortunate. My deepest sympathies are with the bereaved families. May God give them strength to bear this loss and may the departed souls rest in peace.”
{{/usCountry}}Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot also offered his condolences. “The death of three women devotees in a stampede outside Khatushyamji’s temple in Sikar is very sad and unfortunate. My deepest sympathies are with the bereaved families. May God give them strength to bear this loss and may the departed souls rest in peace.”
{{/usCountry}}He ordered a probe while Riya Choudhary, the in-charge of the local police station, was suspended for inability to handle the situation effectively.
The state government announced ₹5 lakh each compensation for the kin of those killed and ₹20,000 to the injured.
District collector Avichal Chaturvedi said special arrangements are made at the shrine by barricading and regularising the crowds during the annual fair around Holi. “This cannot be made permanent as it affects the lives of locals. As the people have started coming on the auspicious ekadashi and weekends, other measures are being worked out.” He said Monday was also ekadashi.
Chaturvedi said the number of pilgrims has increased significantly post Covid-19 pandemic and many of them now come from Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. He added earlier they would come mostly from Delhi and Haryana.