BHOPAL: As many as 10 persons were killed and 30 were injured in a stampede that broke out when devotees were circumambulating Kamatgiri Temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district.
IGP (Rewa Range) Pawan Srivastava confirmed that 10 people, including six women were killed in the incident. According to him, thousands of pilgrims had gathered near Chitrakoot on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya.
“According to initial reports, some of the pilgrims slipped and fell down while circumambulating and this triggered panic,” said a source.
The rope barriers that were set up to regulate the movement of pilgrims collapsed resulting in the stampede, police said.
The path along which the devotees circumambulate is around 2km-long and runs along several temples including the Shree Kamatanath Temple. The stampede took place near Bharat Milap Temple.
“We received information regarding the stampede at around 5.30 am, following which teams were dispatched immediately,” Srivastava said. The region had witnessed a similar tragedy in June 1987 when 33 pilgrims died from heatstroke and dehydration after they ran out of drinking water.In October last, 115 pilgrims were killed and over 100 were injured in a stampede near a temple at Ratangarh in Datia district. And the findings of a judicial inquiry into the incident has not been made public.
Satna Collector M L Meena said the district administration had started relief and rescue operations. “We are trying to identify the deceased and will extend all possible help,” he said.
Kamadgiri, according to local legend, was the place where Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman lived while in exile.