5 killed in stampede in Naina Devi temple in HP

SHIMLA: At least five pilgrims were on Sunday killed and over 20 persons were injured in a stampede at the Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur district.

"Five devotees were killed in the stampede which took place after a railing on the way to the temple collapsed," Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, S R Mardi said.

Over two dozen people were injured after nearly 100 devotees fell down in the melee at the temple, about 160 kms from here, he said.

A large number of pilgrims had gathered at the temple to offer prayer on the occasion of Navratra and the railing on way to the temple collapsed due to heavy rush resulting in stampede, official sources said.
Superintendent of Police K K Indoria and other senior district officers have rushed to the temple about 60 km from the Bilaspur district headquarters.