"Heart wrenching incident...": CM Yogi offers condolences to families of deceased, announces Rs 25 lakh assistance for kins

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 29 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday expressed grief over the stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.
At least 30 people were killed while 60 were injured in the pre-dawn stampede that occured at Maha Kumbh, according to officials. 25 bodies had been identified and the rest were yet to be identified.
"The incident is heart-wrenching. We express our deepest condolences to all those families who lost their loved ones. We have been in constant touch with the administration since last night," CM Yogi said while speaking to the media.
CM Yogi also announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh to the kins of the deceased, while adding that security forces have been deployed at the site.
"Mela Authority, police, NDRF, SDRF and all other forces have been deployed there," he said.
"We are also announcing financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased on behalf of the state government. The judicial commission will look into the entire matter and submit its report to the state government within a time limit," the CM added.
CM Yogi also said that the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) would visit Prayagraj and look into all required issues.
"In this regard, the Chief Secretary and DGP will visit Prayagraj and look into all the issues if required.." he further added.
Recalling the incident, the CM said that a large number of devotees had gathered in Prayagraj to take a holy dip in Mauni Amavasya.
"A large number of devotees had gathered in Prayagraj since 7 PM yesterday to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya. An unfortunate incident took place on the Akhara Marg in which over 90 people were injured and 30 people died. 36 people are undergoing treatment in Prayagraj. This incident took place as the crowd broke the barricades of the Akhara Marg," he recalled.
He further said that a green corridor was created soon after the incident occurred to rush the injured to the hospital.
"Within some time of the incident, a green corridor was created and injured were rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, these deaths have happened...On all these issues, questions will be raised. The injured who have been discharged have left with their family members," the CM said.
Adityanath also said that the incident occurred during the main 'snan' of the MahaKumbh and due to the large number of devotees in Prayagraj, the routes were choked.
"This was the main snan of Kumbh and due to immense pressure (large number of devotees) in Prayagraj, routes were choked. The administration was making attempts since last night to clear those routes.." he further added.
The Chief Minister further said that a three-member commission would be formed. He added that several meetings were conducted throughout the day and continuous communication was made with the administration regarding the incident.
"A three-member judicial commission will be headed by Justice Harsh Kumar, former DG VK Gupta and retired IAS DK Singh. We have been monitoring the entire incident from the CM's, Chief Secretary and DGP's control rooms throughout the day," he said.
"Meetings went on throughout the day and there was continuous communication with the administration regarding the incidents. Since the morning, we have been receiving necessary guidelines from the Prime Minister, Home Minister, National President JP Nadda, Railway Minister and others," he said. (ANI)