CPIML Fact Finding Team Visits Site of Temple Stampede Incident in Jahanabad

A fact-finding team from the CPIML visited the site of the recent tragic stampede at Siddheshwar Temple on Barabar Hill in Jahanabad district on August 12, 2024. The incident, which occurred during the Sawan festival, resulted in the death of seven and injuries to 28 others.

Extending solidarity with the victims' families, CPIML strongly condemned the criminal negligence of the administration, which contributed to the tragedy. The fact-finding team noted that despite the increasing number of pilgrims at Siddheshwar Temple, especially during the Sawan festival month, there was a lack of adequate administrative preparation, facilities for pilgrims, and crowd control measures. The team observed that the stampede occurred due to a significant increase in crowd size, exacerbated by the absence of police and administrative oversight.

During their visit, the team also discovered that the railings around the temple complex, which is on a hilltop, were weak, and the space available was too limited to accommodate the large crowd, resulting in the stampede. The team also found that after the stampede, proper and timely medical treatment was unavailable for the injured. For example, the CT scan machine at the Sadar Hospital was non-functional, highlighting severe deficiencies in the state government's health department.

CPIML has called for a judicial inquiry into the incident and action against the officials responsible for the mishap. The party has also called for compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs and government jobs for the families of the deceased, and Rs. 1 lakh for the injured. Furthermore, the party has called for implementation of proper safety precautions in the temple area to prevent such tragic incidents in future. The CPIML team, consisting of Arwal MLA Mahanand Singh, Ghosi MLA Ramballi Singh Yadav, Jehanabad District Secretary Ramadhar Singh, Gaya District Secretary Niranjan Kumar, and State Committee member Tariq Anwar, toured the incident location and hospital and met with the affected families.