33 people were killed, mostly women and children, in the stampede in Patna on October 3, 2014
Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has admitted that there could have been serious lapses on part of the district administration in Patna and other agencies that led to the stampede outside the city's famous Gandhi Maidan on Friday evening after Dussehra celebrations. 33 people were killed; most of them were women and children.
"I agree there could have been lapses," Mr Manjhi told NDTV adding that he had set a 72-hour deadline for the enquiry committee to hand over its report on the incident.
The chief minister also said that different theories were floating around on what could have led to the terrible tragedy. Some eyewitnesses said that the stampede was triggered by a rumour that a
live electric wire had fallen on the ground which created panic, prompting a rush for the gates. Others have blamed poor street lighting on the narrow road outside the sprawling ground. Some others also allege lack of security and a proper evacuation plan at the venue.
"Let us just have some patience and wait for the enquiry report... Rest assured we will take action against those responsible," said the Chief Minister. He, however, also seemed to suggest that crowds could have been at fault by rushing out at the same time but refused to elaborate on what authorities did to prevent such a situation.
His comments came just hours after the Patna district administration denied any lack of preparedness, while passing the buck to the local authorities. "It is very difficult to totally eliminate the chances of such an event," Patna District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma told NDTV while admitting that street lights inside and outside the Gandhi Maidan were not working, which he said was the responsibility of the local municipal corporation.