Pratapgarh (UP):
Traveling across villages, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday met the families of victims of the stampede that left 63 women and children dead, sharing their grief and assuring them of quick disbursement of the ex gratia of Rs two lakhs announced by the central government.
The Congress general secretary, who arrived here via Allahabad, drove to Peer Nagar, Itauri Mohammadpur, Mavai, Biraseen and Mai Ka Purva villages, visiting the bereaved families.
Twenty five people from these villages died in the stampede yesterday.
Congress spokesman Akhilesh Pratap Singh told PTI in Lucknow that Rahul, besides extending condolences, also comforted the families saying that he would ensure that the ex gratia of Rs two lakhs reached them soon and no one was left out.
The Congress general secretary also visited Mawaikala village and met the families of four children who lost their life in the incident that occurred during distribution of food at an ashram.
Satyanarain, a villager of Itaura, where Rahul visited said the Congress leader had given his mobile number to the bereaved families to contact him in case of any problem.
Congress sources said the party would demand of Rs five lakh as ex gratia for the deceased from the state government.
"Rahul wanted it to be a low-profile visit as it was sombre occasion. So, nobody was informed. Arrangements were made at the last moment," a close aide of the Amethi MP said in Delhi.
Later, Rahul left for Allahabad from where he would leave for New Delhi, Singh added.