Ashok Dham stampede: Bihar Minister mourns deaths; Rs 4 lakh compensation announced

Patna, Aug 17 (IANS) Seven women lost their lives in a stampede at Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, on Monday. Bihar Minister and local MLA Vijay Kumar Sinha described the incident as extremely tragic and said officials had been instructed to investigate the circumstances.

According to Sinha, the incident occurred after a pole and some wires collapsed outside the temple premises. A rumour that the fallen wires were carrying live electricity reportedly triggered panic among the devotees, leading to the stampede.

“This is extremely sad. I am on my way there. The incident occurred after a pole and some electric wires collapsed outside the temple premises. Rumours spread that there was a live electric current, triggering a stampede,” Sinha said.

The minister said he had spoken with the District Magistrate and temple administration and that officials were visiting the site to assess the situation. He assured that the incident would be investigated and that action would be taken against anyone found responsible.

Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each person who died in the incident. He said the state government stands with the bereaved families and would provide assistance during the difficult period.

Sinha said the situation at Ashok Dham had appeared normal during an inspection around 5 a.m. Authorities were also operating a relief camp at the temple, and an earlier video‑call‑based assessment had indicated that arrangements were functioning normally. The situation changed after 6–6:30 a.m., when the incident occurred.

The minister said most victims were residents and assured that affected families would receive government assistance. He also directed the administration to give top priority to medical arrangements for the injured.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep distress over the deaths and conveyed her condolences to the families of the victims while praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives. He extended his condolences to the affected families and said the local administration was assisting those affected.

The government‑ordered inquiry is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the pole and wires, the subsequent spread of the rumour, and the crowd‑management and safety arrangements at the temple during the large gathering.

–IANS

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