One of India's worst stampedes in recent years took place after
about a quarter of a million people flocked to listen to a
self-styled guru, far in excess of the number of 80,000
authorities had permitted.
Tuesday's preliminary findings of a panel investigating the
incident held the event organizers responsible, saying they
failed to meet conditions set for the gathering.
"The organizers obtained permission for the event by concealing
facts," the government of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh
said in a statement, citing the findings of the panel it set up
to look into the matter.
"They did not make adequate and smooth arrangements despite
inviting an unexpected crowd, nor did they comply with the
conditions set by the local administration."
In response, A.P. Singh, a lawyer for the preacher, denied
wrongdoing by organizers, saying they did not conceal anything
from authorities, adding instead that the stampede was part of a
conspiracy by "anti-social elements" whom he did not identify.
Police have arrested nine people involved in organizing the
event, Singh said.
The government said the panel had not ruled out "the possibility
of a major conspiracy behind the accident", but it needed
further investigation.
A senior district official in Hathras, the site of the incident,
gave permission for the event without inspecting the venue, the
state government added.
Local government and police officials did not take the event
seriously and did not inform senior officials about it, the
government said in its statement.
"They have been held responsible for negligence in performing
their duties," it added.
The crush happened when devotees ran after the preacher's
departing car, trampling over one another to seek his blessings
and get a closer look at him.
(Reporting by Saurabh Sharma in Lucknow and Shivam Patel in New
Delhi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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