New Delhi: Veteran Samajwadi Party leader and Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh's Faizabad (Ayodhya), Awadhesh Prasad on Wednesday said that the Hathras stampede incident was heart-wrenching and occurred due to ignorance of the administration and affirmed that the government should constitute a high-level-commission for investigation of the incident.
Singh also hoped that the government would provide proper medication facilities to the injured to save their lives.
Speaking with ANI, the Samajwadi leader said, "The heart-wrenching incident in Hathras is tragic and devastating. This incident shows that the government has not fulfilled its responsibility. The important government fragment such as police and district administration has ignored their responsibility. They should have taken responsibility when an event was organized on such a large scale in the district. The incident that happened is tragic."
Highlighting the treatment of the injured, Singh asserted, "I hope that the government will act swiftly on the incident to save the lives of injured by providing proper medication facilities to them."
As 121 people lost their lives in the tragic incident, Singh stated, "It is a matter of investigation to find out the responsible ones behind the incident. If the matter is serious, then the government should constitute a high-level commission for investigation. Additionally, I hope the government will provide proper financial aid to the bereaved families."
On the questions of continuous bustle in the house during a parliamentary session, Singh said, "In a democracy, the ruling party and opposition are two sides of the coin and it depends on the media neutrality and opposition's support and respect that how strong a democracy is in any country. The opposition had demanded a debate on Manipur, as the state is in a "civil-war-like" condition. But they ignored the demands which is not a healthy practice in a democracy."
The tragic stampede incident that occurred on Tuesday in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras claimed the lives of 121 people and as many as 35 people are injured.
The prime facie report submitted by the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of the Sikandra Rao division of the district suggests that the stampede occurred as devotees rushed to seek blessing from 'Bhole Baba', the preacher at the religious congregation Satsang, as he was about to leave the venue after the prayer.
The preacher 'Bhole Baba' identified as Suraj Pal is also known by the names of Narayan Sakar Hari and Jagat Guru Vishwahari.
As per prima facie report, the devotees rushed to seek blessings and collect soil from around the preacher's feet, but were stopped by the security personnel of 'Bhole Baba'. Later, they started pushing one another due to which several people fell to the ground, leading to chaos at the site.
Some people ran towards the adjoining field filled with mud, due to which they fell down and were crushed by other devotees, the report stated.
"The injured were taken to the hospital by the police and security personnel present at the site", it further said.
Meanwhile, an FIR has been lodged against Devprakash Madhukar, referred to as 'Mukhya Sewadar' and other organizers of the 'Satsang'. The preacher 'Bhole Baba', who is currently untraceable, has not been named in the FIR.
Uttar Pradesh police have launched a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district.
FIR has been filed under Sections 105, 110, 126(2), 223, and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
—ANI