However, police and local administration claimed that the three women were in front of the queue and fell down due to pressure and it was not a case of a ‘clear stampede’. PM Narendra Modi and CM Ashok Gehlot expressed their grief on social media and condoled the deaths.
The incident took place after the gates of the temple were opened for devotees at 4.15am in the morning. Police have suspended Riya Chaudhary, the SHO, in charge of the Khatu Shyamji temple. The Jaipur divisional commissioner will probe the incident. CM Gehlot announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 20,000 to the injured.
Over a lakh people were outside the temple gate
According to police, due to the ‘ekadashi on Monday, considered auspicious by devotees, a large number of people from across Rajasthan and other states had started gathering outside the temple since Sunday evening.
The pressure on the queues started to increase from 1am on Monday with over one lakh devotees waiting outside the temple gate which is nearly 70 feet away from the temple premises.
“There was a large number of people waiting outside the temple gate. When the gates opened at 4.15am in the morning, three women who were in the front and closer to the temple gate fell down due to pressure from behind. Four other devotees were also injured in the accident. The condition of one of them was critical. He was rushed to the SMS Hospital in Jaipur,” said Sikar SP Kunwar Rastradeep to TOI.
The three deceased women were identified as Shanti Devi (63), a resident of Hisaar, Maya Devi (65) of Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, and one Kripa Devi from Mansarovar area of Jaipur.
Police categorically said that it was not a clear case of stampede. “We have seen the CCTV footage. It is evident that due to excessive crowd pressure when the gates opened the three women fell down and may have died due to suffocation. The exact cause of the death will be ascertained after the post-mortem,” he said.
Soon after, a large posse of policemen reached the spot to restore order. “The injured were rushed to the hospital where the three women were declared brought dead by hospital authorities,” he said.
During every ‘ekdashi’ in the month of ‘shravan’, many devotees gather for the fair of Khatu Shyamji. According to an estimate, over one lakh devotees had come to the temple to offer prayers.
Following the incident, PM Modi tweeted, “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at the Khatu Shyamji temple complex in Sikar, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that those who are injured recover at the earliest.”
CM Gehlot too expressed grief. “The death of three women due to a stampede in Khatu Shyamji in Sikar is very sad and unfortunate. My deepest condolences are with the bereaved family members,” he tweeted in Hindi.
On Facebook, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi offered condolences.
“I appeal to all the Congress workers of Rajasthan to help the local people, along with the administration, at the earliest,” Gandhi added.
Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, BJP state president Satish Poonia and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje were among the other leaders who condoled the deaths.
(With Agency inputs)
