Bihar Stampede during puja at Nalanda Temple; injuries reported

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede in Nalanda and announced ex gratia compensation for the victims.At least eight women were killed in the incident at the Shitala Mata temple, where a large number of devotees had gathered in the morning, police said.Also Read: At least 8 women killed, 6 injured in stampede at Sheetala Mata temple in Bihar’s Nalanda“The mishap in Nalanda district, Bihar, is deeply painful. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying.“An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” the statement added.Meanwhile, Kumar announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh from the Disaster Management Department and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the family of each victim.“Chief minister Nitish Kumar has expressed deep condolences over the deaths of devotees in a stampede that occurred at the Sheetla Devi Temple in Bihar Sharif, Nalanda district. Acting on the chief minister’s directives, senior officials have reached the accident site and are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations. The chief minister has wished for the speedy recovery of those injured in the mishap and has issued instructions to ensure they receive appropriate medical treatment,” an official release stated. According to officials, the stampede occurred during a weekly fair due to overcrowding at the site. Devotees present at the scene alleged insufficient deployment of police personnel to manage the rush. In view of the gravity of the situation, shops set up at the fair in the surrounding area have been ordered to close down.