Rahul Gandhi, a Congress MP, called the stampede during the Puri Rath Yatra a "serious" warning and expressed his profound sadness over the incident. The Lok Sabha's Leader of the Opposition (LoP) emphasised the need for a comprehensive review of crowd control and security protocols at such sizable events.
Rahul Gandhi emphasised that safeguarding lives is "paramount" and that any failure to uphold responsibility is "acceptable." "This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder that security plans and crowd control strategies need to be carefully considered and reviewed for events of this magnitude. "Life protection is of utmost importance, and any failure to fulfil this duty is unacceptable," Rahul Gandhi's "X" post stated.
He also asked Congress employees to help in any way they could and urged the Odisha government to speed up relief efforts.
"It is very tragic that there was a stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri. I wish the injured devotees a speedy recovery and offer my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased. In his 'X' post, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "I urge Congress workers to provide every possible assistance in this regard and appeal to the Odisha government to expedite relief efforts."
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi previously wrote on the social media site X, "An unfortunate incident occurred because of the jostling and chaos that resulted from devotees' intense desire to see Mahaprabhu at Sharadhabali. I personally ask all Jagannath devotees for forgiveness, as does my government. We offer our condolences to the families of the devotees who perished at Sharadhabali and ask Mahaprabhu Jagannath to give them the fortitude to endure this terrible loss." He went on to say that the security breach will be investigated and that those responsible will face consequences.
Also Read: Over 600 injured in Puri as crowd surges during Rath Yatra
"This carelessness cannot be excused. "I have instructed that the necessary actions be taken to initiate exemplary action against those responsible, and an immediate investigation into the security lapse will be conducted," Majhi's X post stated.
The state DGP has been dispatched to the scene of the incident, according to Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.
"This is a regrettable occurrence. That is something we are observing. This morning, I had a conversation with the CM. We are acting rigorously. "DGP has been dispatched to the location," the minister declared.
"Three people died from suffocation in the large crowd. There are six to seven injuries. I'm relocating to Puri. I'm keeping an eye on things via phone. We're doing everything we can to control the crowd. There are now more police on the scene. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the incident," Harichandan stated.
He went on to say, "The situation is now under control and the people are having darshan..." The minister stated that "the situation is being monitored," that he is rushing to Puri himself, and that those responsible will face harsh consequences. Harichandan added, "Around six to seven people were injured and they are alright now."
Also Read: Three dead, several injured during Rath Yatra in Puri
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