Centre playing politics over Pratapgarh incident: Mayawati

LUCKNOW - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday expressed her grief over the Pratapgarh incident and criticised the Central Government for playing politics in the name of providing funds.

“There was no help from the Centre. There was politics in the name of providing funds,” said Mayawati.

“The State Government helped to the fullest manner,” she added.

“The government would provide Rs 2.5 lakh to the family members of the dead and Rs 75,000 to those severely injured,” claimed Mayawati.

Mayawati had earlier claimed that the state was facing an ‘acute financial crisis’ and was not in a position to give any monetary compensation to the families of those killed or injured in Thursday’s (March 4) Pratapgarh stampede.

Around 63 people were killed in a stampede in Kripaluji Maharaj Ashram in Mangarh village of Pratapgarh District on March 4.

Mayawati urged the Central Government to compensate the victims’ family.

Earlier, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had announced Rs. two-lakh compensation from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the victims of Pratapgarh stampede.

The preliminary report of investigation in Pratapgarh stampede blamed the local administration and the ashram authorities for the incident.

Four people including the manager of the Ashram have been arrested in connection with the stampede, which is being investigated by the Allahabad Divisional Commissioner. (ANI)