New Delhi [India], June 29 : Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed deep sorrow over the stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri, calling the tragedy a "serious" warning. The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha emphasised that security arrangements and crowd management at such large gatherings must be thoroughly reviewed.
Rahul Gandhi stressed that the protection of lives is "paramount" and no lapses in the responsibility are "acceptable".
"This tragedy is a serious warning - for such large events, security arrangements and crowd management preparations must be taken seriously and thoroughly reviewed. Protecting lives is paramount, and no lapses in this responsibility are acceptable", Rahul Gandhi's 'X' post read.
The Congress MP termed the incident "extremely tragic" and extended condolences to the victims of the stampede. He also urged the Odisha Government to expedite relief efforts and urged Congress workers to provide every possible assistance in this regard.
"The stampede incident during the Rath Yatra in Puri is extremely tragic. I express my deep condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured devotees. I appeal to the Odisha government to expedite relief efforts and urge Congress workers to provide every possible assistance in this regard", Rahul Gandhi wrote in his 'X' post.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi posted on the social media platform X, "Due to the intense eagerness among devotees to have a glimpse of Mahaprabhu at Sharadhabali, an unfortunate incident occurred because of the resulting jostling and chaos. Personally, my government and I seek forgiveness from all Jagannath devotees. We express our condolences to the families of those devotees whose lives were lost at Sharadhabali and pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannath to grant them the strength to bear this profound sorrow."
He added that an investigation will be conducted into the security lapse and action will be taken against those responsible.
"This negligence is unforgivable. An immediate investigation into the security lapse will be conducted, and I have directed that necessary steps be taken to initiate exemplary action against those responsible," Majhi's X post read.
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that the state DGP has been sent to the site of the incident.
"It is an unfortunate incident. We are taking note of that. I spoke with the CM this morning. We are taking stringent action. DGP has been sent to the spot," the minister said.
"Three people have passed away because of suffocation in the huge gathering. Six to seven people are injured. I am moving to Puri. I am monitoring the situation over the phone. We are trying our best to manage the crowd. Additional police have been deployed. The reasons for the incident are being investigated," Harichandan said.
"The situation is now under control and the people are having darshan...", he added.
"The situation is being monitored," the minister said, adding that he is rushing to Puri himself and that stringent action will be taken against those responsible.
"Around six to seven people were injured and they are alright now," Harichandan further said.