The state government had announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for each victim’s family. (image-X/FrontalForce)
New Delhi: Two months have passed since the tragic stampede at Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh killed at least 30 people on January 29. Families of those who died are still waiting for the Rs 25 lakh compensation the Uttar Pradesh government promised them.
On top of that, the Yogi Adityanath-led state government has not even released the names of the deceased, reported Indian Express. Despite questions and doubts raised against the reported death toll, alleged to be much higher, the government maintains that 30 people died in the stampede.
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News media like Newslaundry reported that at least 79 people died in the tragic incident based on hospital and police records, while former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav stated that around 1000 people were missing after the Maha Kumbh.
Families of the deceased have repeatedly been redirected to different authorities. Basic documents, including death certificates of victims, have reportedly not been provided to many families. In fact, they are yet to receive any official communication regarding compensation or documentation, reported Indian Express.
Following the stampede, the state government had announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for each victim’s family. According to Indian Express, many families remain unaware of the steps required to access the funds. The newspaper also reported that while some families received Rs 5 lakh, as opposed to the promised Rs 25 lakh, in cash, most have received nothing.
The lack of communication has left the mourning families feeling abandoned by the state government even after two months since the tragedy.
On January 29, a stampede occurred at the Sangam Nose area of Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj at around 1:30 am during the Mauni Amavasya Shahi Snan, one of the most auspicious bathing days of the Kumbh. While the government claimed 30 people died in the incident with 60 others injured, opposition parties, journalists, and activists raised doubts about the number.
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The opposition also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he skipped mentioning the stampede and the death toll during his parliament speech while praising the religious festival.
Six weeks after the tragedy, the Union Home Ministry told the Lok Sabha that the centre did not conduct an inquiry of its own and does not have data on the number of dead and injured. It pointed out that that ‘public order’ and ‘police’ were state government-controlled subjects.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi stated that due to inadequate safety measures, overcrowding, and lapses in crowd management, the Maha Kumbh turned into a tragedy that shook the entire nation.
