Stampede-like situation at Sangam during Mauni Amavasya in Maha Kumbh; Amit Shah assures help to Yogi Adityanath
New Delhi: Following a stampede-like scenario at the Sangam during the celebration of the Mauni Amavasya at the Mahakumbh Mela, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday and promised to provide the Center’s full cooperation.
As a stampede-like scenario developed at the Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday during the Mauni Amavasya festivities at the Mahakumbh Mela, Shah assessed the situation over the phone with the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Shah promised the Chief Minister that the Center will do all in its power to control the situation and protect the believers.
The occurrence happened on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, when thousands of devotees came to take a holy bath at the meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the fabled Saraswati rivers. With a huge stream of pilgrims from all across the nation, this day is regarded as one of the most important bathing days of the Mahakumbh Mela.
The gathering was so large that anarchy broke out, almost resulting in a stampede. According to witnesses, the rapid influx of devotees caused fear, with many people finding it difficult to stay balanced. The on-duty security officers moved swiftly to control the situation and avoid any casualties.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah phoned Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath right away to evaluate the situation after hearing about the event. He gave the Chief Minister his word that the Center will provide all assistance required to manage the throng and guarantee orderly operations during the Mela.
To control pilgrim movement and avoid further accidents, local authorities—such as the police and disaster response teams—have been called in. Additionally, the management has advised followers to maintain composure and adhere to safety procedures.
Millions of pilgrims seek spiritual cleansing at the Mahakumbh Mela, one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world. Even with sophisticated security measures, crowd control is still a major concern because of the event’s size.
To ensure the safety of everyone present at the large religious gathering, authorities are keeping a careful eye on the situation in order to stop similar occurrences from happening again.
In the meanwhile, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has urged the followers to comply with the authorities, take a bath at the closest ghat, and refrain from attempting to reach Sangam Nose. Additionally, he has requested that no rumors be taken seriously.
The hospital established in Sector 2 of the Mela area is receiving the wounded after a stampede at the Mahakumbh.
