In the overcrowded holy city of Matura on Janamashtami, two devotees were crushed to death and several others were injured during a stampede at the iconic Banke Bihari temple late Friday night.
The incident occurred during the Mangala Aarti (holy prayers) at Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, Mathura at 1.55 am on late Friday night. Several thousands of devotees had gathered at the exit gate of the temple and due to the pressure, there was a stampede in which several people were crushed.
A woman devotee Nirmala from Noida, and another identified as Ram Prasad Vishwakarma, were crushed under the heap of people who fell during the stampede. Besides these two who died on the spot, several others were injured and sent to the hospitals.
Additional Director General (ADG), Law & Order of UP, Prashant Kumar said that enquiry has been ordered to look into the cause of the incident. At the time of the stampede the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Municipal Commissioner of Mathura were present inside the temple premises. According to the police officials, the Mangala Aarti happens only once in the year during the festival of Janamashtami and a large number of people had gathered to attend. Due to covid restrictions, the devotees were not allowed to come to the temple for the last two years.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has condoled the death of two devotees in Matura and directed officials to provide proper medical treatment to those injured. The leader of the opposition Akhilesh Yadav has demanded an enquiry into the incident.
