Centre rushing RAF personnel to stampede-hit Deogarh in Jharkhand for better crowd control

NEW DELHI: The Centre is rushing Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel to Deoghar in Jharkhand for better crowd management after 11 people died due to a stampede near a temple.

Making a statement in Lok Sabha on the stampede, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he spoke to Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das, who apprised him of the situation in Deoghar after the stampede and requested for additional RAF personnel.

Singh said two RAF companies (around 200 personnel) are being sent to Deoghar for better crowd and security management in addition to the Central Armed Police Forces already deployed in the state.

The Home Minister said the Chief Minister informed him that 11 people have lost their lives and Rs two lakh will be given to the families of each deceased as compensation while the injured will be given Rs 50,000.

All injured will be given free treatment, he said.

Singh condoled the loss of lives due to stampede and expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the stampede.

Earlier, Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav of RJD and Nishikant Dubey of BJP raised the issue and said there were very little facilities for devotees at the Deogarh temple where thousands gather to offer prayers.

Both of them demanded that the area should be developed and proper facilities should be offered to the pilgrims to prevent such incidents in future.