Bihar sends Patna stampede report to home ministry

In a report sent to the Union home ministry, the Bihar government acknowledged that rumour and inadequate lighting at the site played a major role in triggering the stampede at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan that claimed 33 lives.

In a report sent to the Union home ministry, the Bihar government acknowledged that rumour and inadequate lighting at the site played a major role in triggering the stampede at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan that claimed 33 lives.

Official sources confirmed the report had been sent in response to a missive received from the Centre in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

The report sent to the Centre assumes importance in the light of Bihar’s BJP’s representation to the President of India on Sunday, urging him to “intervene” and take action on the state government for its failure to prevent the incident.

The report to the Centre, the sources said, carries details such as the number of causalities and estimated strength of crowd present at Gandhi Maidan to witness the ceremonial slaying of Ravan, which marks conclusion of Dussehra festivities.

“I confirm the report has been sent to the centre”, said Amir Subhani, Bihar’s principal secretary (home), who is probing the stampede, along with ADG of police (headquarters) Gupteshwar Pandey.