AT LEAST eight devotees, mostly women, were killed and eight injured in a stampede at a temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Tuesday, officials said. The incident took place due to heavy rush of devotees at the Sheetla Mata temple, under the jurisdiction of Deep Nagar police station, on Tuesday morning, an officer said. Bihar Sharif Assistant Superintendent of Police Noorul Haque said, “At least eight devotees, mostly women, died in the stampede at Shitala Mata temple on Tuesday morning. Eight devotees were also injured in the incident. Police personnel and officials of the district administration have reached the spot, and the rescue work is on.” President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in a stampede at a temple in Bihar and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured. “The news of the death of numerous devotees in a stampede at a temple in Nalanda, Bihar, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of all those who have been injured,” Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the stampede and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured. “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 recoveryof those injured,” the PrimeMinister said in a message. He announced that an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PrimeMinister’s National Relief Fund(PMNRF) would be given to thenext of kin of the deceased andRs 50,000 to the injured.

 

Bihar Chief Minister NitishKumar expressed grief over thedeaths of devotees in the stampede and announced ex gratiafor the kin of the deceased. “TheCM has expressed condolences over thecasualtiesin the stampede at the Sheetla Mata templeinBiharSharif.Heisdeeply saddened by the deaths of devotees in the incident, and announced an ex gratia of Rs 6 lakh each to the immediate family members of the deceased. The CM has also directedofficials to ensurebetter treatment for thosewho are injured,”astatementissuedby the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said. Haque said officials are trying to ascertain the identity of the deceased. Shubham Kumar, Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC), Nalanda, told media persons that theincidentmight have occurred due to heavy rush in the temple. “Eight devotees died, and eight were injured in the incident,” he said. The Station House Officer (SHO) of the Deep Nagar police station was suspended with immediate effect for thederelictionofduty. “An inquiry has been ordered to find out the exact cause of the incident. Officials concerned are scrutinising footage of CCTV cameras installed at the temple. Forensic experts havealsobeenengaged toassist investigators,”saidastatement issued by the district police. BiharDeputy ChiefMinister Samrat Choudhary in a post on X said, “The incident at Sheetla Mata Temple in Nalanda is extremely heartbreaking. I express my condolences to the families of all the devotees who lost their lives and were injured in this accident. The government is providingeverypossibleassistance and relief to the affected families.”