Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday expressed grief over the deaths in a stampede at New Delhi railway station, and announced ex gratia for the next of kin of the deceased hailing from the eastern state.
At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the stampede that broke out late Saturday night at the crowded railway station.
"The CM has expressed condolences over the casualties in the stampede at the New Delhi railway station. He is deeply saddened by the deaths of Bihar natives in the incident, and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the immediate family members of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those who are injured," a statement issued by the CMO said.
According to a statement issued by the state Disaster Management Department here on Sunday, "A total of eight people from the state died in the stampede that took place at New Delhi railway station on Saturday. A maximum of three people from Samastipur died in the incident, followed by two from Nawada and one each from Vaishali, Patna and Buxar districts."
Commenting on the incident, Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi told reporters in Gaya, "The incident which took place at New Delhi railway station last night was very tragic… It happened because of the heavy rush of passengers at the platform. Overall, adequate arrangements are in place to ensure that pilgrims don't face any difficulties." The incident took place due to a large number of passengers attempting to find space inside the trains en route to Prayagraj. The government is giving compensation to the family members of those who died and were injured in the stampede, he added.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, in a post on X, said, "The incident at New Delhi railway station is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed souls and for the speedy recovery of the injured." Meanwhile, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre over the incident, and demanded the resignation of the railway minister.
"The stampede episode is very disturbing. It has exposed the inadequate arrangements made by the central government. The railway minister must resign after this incident," Prasad told reporters here.
Asked to comment on how lakhs of people were heading to Prayagraj for the mega religious gathering, Prasad said, "Kumbh has no meaning… It is just meaningless." Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, told reporters, "It's a very tragic incident. The incident has proved that the entire system has completely collapsed… the government machinery is more interested in VVIPs visiting Prayagraj. There are no arrangements for poor people, who are going there at the mercy of almighty… they are suffering the most… they are dying."
"The government has made no arrangements for other visitors. The entire country, especially the people of Bihar, want to know who is responsible for these deaths? Accountability must be fixed," he added.
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