Congress condemns Centre over NDLS stampede, seeks immediate disclosure of victims' identities

New Delhi [India], February 16 (ANI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Centre over the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday, demanding transparency and accountability in such situations.
He called for immediate disclosure of the exact number of deaths and injuries and provided information about the missing individuals from the Centre.
"We demand that the number of dead and injured be declared as soon as possible and the identity of the missing people should also be ensured," Kharge posted on X.

नई दिल्ली रेलवे स्टेशन पर भगदड़ से कई लोगों की मृत्यु हो जाने का समाचार अत्यंत पीड़ादायक है। स्टेशन से आ रहे वीडियो बेहद हृदयविदारक है।

नई दिल्ली रेलवे स्टेशन पर हुई मौतों के मामले में नरेंद्र मोदी सरकार द्वारा सच्चाई छिपाने की कोशिश बेहद शर्मनाक व निंदनीय है।

हमारी मांग है…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 15, 2025

He said that the priority should be to provide immediate medical attention to the injured and support to the families of the victims.
"Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The injured should be provided with immediate medical treatment," added the Congress chief.
He also accused the Centre of hiding the truth about the incident and urged to ensure that those responsible for the incident are held accountable and measures are taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
"The news of many people dying in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad. The videos coming from the station are extremely heartbreaking. The attempt by the Narendra Modi government to hide the truth in the case of deaths at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely shameful and condemnable," wrote Kharge on X.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also emphasized the need for better arrangements to handle the massive crowd, which could have prevented the unfortunate incident.

नई दिल्ली स्टेशन पर मची भगदड़ की घटना दुखद है।
कुंभ के इतने बड़े आयोजन के चलते नई दिल्ली स्टेशन पर इस से बेहतर इंतज़ाम किए जाने चाहिए थे।
एक दर्जन के लगभग लोगों के घायल होने की सूचना है।
जैसे तैसे लोगों को पार्सल ठेले पर ले जाकर अस्पताल में भर्ती कराया गया है।
उम्मीद है सब… pic.twitter.com/V1xZGUn1Ak

— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) February 15, 2025

"The stampede incident at New Delhi station is sad. Due to the huge event of Kumbh, better arrangements should have been made at New Delhi station. About a dozen people are reported to be injured. Somehow, people were taken on a parcel cart and admitted to the hospital. Hope everyone reaches their destination safely," he wrote on X.
Around 15 people were killed and an equal number of persons were injured at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday due to a devastating stampede.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra, the incident occurred when a large number of passengers gathered on platform no. 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed. Additionally, delays in the departures of Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani led to further congestion at platforms 12, 13, and 14.

"We have expected the crowd, but it all happened in a fraction of time, and hence this situation occurred. The fact-finding will be done by the Railways... After inquiry, we will get to know the reason behind the incident...," said DCP Railway KPS Malhotra.
Reports indicate that around 1,500 general tickets were sold, leading to an overwhelming crowd. The situation worsened near platform no. 14 and the escalator at platform no. 1.
In a statement, the Ministry of Railways said a high-level inquiry has been ordered in the "unfortunate incident". (ANI)