Collective Failure Led to Patna Stampede, Says Enquiry Committee

Patna: Nearly two months after a stampede killed 33 people - mostly women and children - at the landmark Gandhi Maidan in Bihar's Patna, an enquiry committee report has blamed the local administration and the police of 'collective failure' behind the incident.

The stampede had occurred as people were returning after Dussehra celebrations at the Gandhi Maidan. Eyewitnesses said the incident was triggered by a rumour that a live electric wire had fallen on the ground, which in turn prompted the crowd to rush for the gates.

The enquiry committee, which was headed by Principal Secretary (Home) Amir Subhani, has put the blame squarely on the local administration and the police for lack of adequate arrangements for the event. The report mentions that there were no lights at the exit gates or any proper sound systems.
"During our probe we found several deficiencies in the arrangements due to which the stampede could not be checked. After paying attention to all aspects of the incident we found that the district administration, district police administration, Patna Municipal Corporation and the traffic police were responsible for it," Mr Subhani told reporters here today.

Mr Subhani added that there was no detailed crowd management plan for the event.

The incident had led to widespread anger and frustration against the local administration. Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, a day after the incident, had said in an interview that the probe report would come out in 48-72 hours

Now that the enquiry committee has submitted its report, the government is likely to initiate departmental proceedings against the guilty officials. In the aftermath of the incident, several officials were transferred and posted to different districts.