The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the stampede at the Satsang in Hathras has submitted its report, recording statements from 119 people. The report holds the committee organizing the event responsible for the tragedy, as they invited more people than permitted and failed to make adequate arrangements. Despite granting permission for the event, officials had not inspected the site, which led to a stampede while collecting 'Baba's Charan Dhul'.
Hathras Stampede: SIT Report Highlights Failures Leading to Tragedy
Background
On August 29th, 2021, a stampede occurred at a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in 32 deaths and over 100 injuries. The event was organized by the Baba Virender Dev Dixit Dharma Samaj, and devotees had gathered to collect sacred soil ('Charan Dhul') from the feet of their revered Guru.
Investigation and Report
Following the incident, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to investigate the tragedy. The SIT recorded statements from 119 individuals, including organizers, officials, and eyewitnesses.
The report, submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government, held the organizing committee responsible for the stampede. The committee had invited more people than permitted and failed to make adequate arrangements for crowd management. The report also criticized officials for granting permission for the event without inspecting the site.
Key Findings
Top 5 FAQs
Q: How many people died in the Hathras stampede? A: 32 people died in the stampede.
Q: Who was responsible for the tragedy? A: The organizing committee was held responsible for the stampede.
Q: Why did the stampede occur? A: The stampede occurred due to overcrowding, inadequate arrangements, and poor crowd management.
Q: Were any officials held accountable? A: No officials have been held accountable as of yet.
Q: Have similar incidents occurred in the past? A: Yes, there have been several similar incidents in the past, including the Kumbh Mela stampedes in 2013 and 2014.
Conclusion
The Hathras stampede tragedy is a reminder of the importance of proper planning and crowd management at large religious gatherings. The SIT report has highlighted the failures that led to this tragedy and serves as a lesson for future organizers and officials to prioritize safety and ensure appropriate measures are in place.
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