Hathras Stampede: Deputy SP Says “We Did Not Find Bhole Baba Ji…” (image-twitter/catale7a)
The Uttar Pradesh police conducted a raid at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district in search of the self-styled godman ‘Bhola Baba’. Narayan Saakar Hari, alias ‘Bhole Baba’, is the preacher at the satsang where more than 110 people died in a stampede in Harthas district on Tuesday.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar confirmed that Baba Ji was not found on the campus. “We did not find Baba ji inside the campus…He is not here…”, he said.
Read also: Sansad TV Under Fire For Muting MP Speeches In English, Replacing Them With Hindi Voice-Overs
The stampede took place around 3:30 pm when Bhole Baba was present at the venue. The investigation and identification process continues for victims. Aligarh DM Vishak G Iyer said that as many as 23 bodies have been brought to Aligarh and a total of three were injured and one among them is under critical condition.
19 out of a total of 32 have been identified so far. Uttar Pradesh chief minister has vowed a thorough investigation into the incident to determine whether it was an “accident or a conspiracy”.
Bhole Baba is a former UP police staffer who worked with the Local Intelligence Unit for 18 years and took voluntary retirement in 1990 in order to pursue spirituality. He has a vast following among the lower middle class and the poor in the Etah-Kasganj and the Braj region.
An eyewitness from the incident, Shakuntala Devi provided a first-hand account of the chaotic scene. “There was a Satsang of Bhole Baba going on. Right after the Satsang finished, several people started coming out from there. A stampede took place as the road was uneven and people fell on each other…”
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary called the Hathras incident “unfortunate”. “It is extremely unfortunate. The government is reviewing it. It is unfortunate that so many people lost their lives…” he added.
Read also: Angomcha Akoijam Attacks Government Over Manipur Violence In Lok Sabha
Reacting to the incident Congress MP KL Sharma said, “I want to appeal to the state government that if such events are organised, they should also take care of the preparation and ensure proper safety of the people. I got to know that several women have lost their lives. The compensation amount should have been more, keeping the condition of the family in mind…”
