Rahul Gandhi visits families of deceased in Pratapgarh stampede

PRATAPGARH - Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi visited families of the deceased in the stampede that took place at an ashram at Mangarh in Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh.

He also assured them of quick disbursement of the ex gratia of Rs two lakhs announced by the central government.

Gandhi also visited Mawaikala village and met the families of four children who lost their life in the incident.

Sixty-three people, all women and children, were killed and 64 were injured in a stampede at an ashram at Mangarh in Pratapgarh on Thursday.

The tragic incident took place when a portion of the entrance gate collapsed under pressure of the surging crowd that thronged the ashram belonging to Kripalu Maharaj to collect food and utensils.

The function at the ashram, located 80 km from the district headquarters of Pratapgarh and about 200 km from Lucknow, was held to commemorate the death anniversary of Kripalu Maharaj’s wife.

A portion of the entrance gate was opened, but the structure collapsed under the pressure mounted by the crowd.

The dead were either crushed under the debris of the gate or killed in the ensuing stampede.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. (ANI)