Hathras (UP): With a few more injured succumbing to injuries, the death toll in the Hathras incident, in which several people were killed in stampede during satsang in Sikandra Rao area, has reached 121.
Minister Sandeep Singh, who has been camping in Hathras since Tuesday evening, said the deaths of 121 people have been confirmed, whereas 35 people have been injured. "I want to assure that whoever is found guilty during the inquiry will not be spared, and stern action will be taken by the government," he said.
Before visiting the hospital, he held a short meeting at the circuit house, where he took stock of the situation.
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Besides, an FIR was lodged against the chief sewadaar, Devprakash Madhukar, organisers and other sewadaar under different sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) late on Tuesday night. It has been alleged that while the organisers took permission for an assembly of 80,000 people, a mob of more than 2.5 lakh devotees assembled on the spot.
The complainant has also accused the sewadaars of creating mismanagement by pushing the crowd back with sticks after the satsang was over and Suraj Pal alias Bhole Baba was leaving. It has been alleged that this led to the stampede, in which several people were crushed. The organisers have also been accused of concealing the evidence.
Minister Asim Arun, who was rushed to Harthras by the CM on Tuesday evening, said an inquiry committee headed by ADG Zone Agra has been constituted. "Besides, an FIR has been lodged, and a criminal investigation has started," he said.
It may be noted that the tragedy took place during satsang by Bhole Baba in Pulrai village under Sikandra Rao police station in Hathras on Tuesday.
Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, Yogi announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
Meanwhile, a team of Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Agra and Divisional Commissioner Aligarh has been constituted to inquire into the cause of the stampede.