The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday suspended six officials following a report by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that held the Satsang organisers and local administration responsible for the Hathras stampede.
The report revealed that the Sub-district Magistrate of Sikandrarao granted permission for the event without inspecting the venue and failed to inform senior officials.
“The said officials did not take the program seriously, and senior officials were also not informed,” the SIT report stated.
According to the report, the incident occurred due to the organisers’ negligence, as they failed to make adequate arrangements for the crowd. It also pointed out that the local police and administration did not take the event seriously and failed to inform senior officials properly.
The SIT recommended disciplinary action against these officials, leading to the suspension of the Sub-District Magistrate of Sikandrarao, Police Circle Officer of Sikandrarao, Station Officer of Sikandrarao, Tehsildar of Sikandrarao, Chowki Incharge of Kachora, and Chowki Incharge of Pora.
Rules out possibility of conspiracy
Additionally, the report did not rule out the possibility of a conspiracy behind the stampede, placing culpability on the event’s organisers. The committee stressed the need for a comprehensive investigation.
The SIT report noted that the organisers obtained permission for the event by “concealing facts”. People associated with the organising committee have been found guilty of spreading chaos. Individuals added by the committee without proper police verification contributed to the disorder.
Furthermore, the organising committee misbehaved with the police and attempted to prevent the local police from inspecting the program venue. Satsang performers and the crowd were allowed to mingle without any security arrangements.
“Despite the large crowd, no barricading or passage arrangements were made, and when the accident occurred, members of the organising committee fled from the scene,” the report added.
In its preliminary investigation into the incident, the SIT relied on eyewitness accounts and other evidence.
The stampede on July 2 at the ‘Satsang‘ of self-styled godman Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba resulted in the death of 121 people.
So far, nine individuals, including the key accused Devprakash Madhukar, have been arrested in connection with the incident. Madhukar, the main organiser and fundraiser of the ‘Satsang‘ at Phulrai village, was responsible for the event.
Notably, the godman himself was not named as an accused in the FIR filed at the local Sikandrarau police station.
Comments
0 comment