Lucknow, July 09: On the basis of SIT probe report on Hathras satsang stampede, the Yogi government has suspended six officers including SDM, CO and Tehsildar.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted the probe report on Tuesday in connection with the stampede occurred after the satsang in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh.
On July 2, 121 people died in a stampede at the satsang of Sakar Vishwa Hari alias Bhole Baba in Sikandrarao of Hathras district.
The state government had constituted a two-member SIT to investigate this accident. The SIT inspected the incident site on July 02, 03 and 05.
During the investigation, statements of a total of 125 people were taken, which includes statements of administrative and police officials as well as the general public and eyewitnesses. Apart from this, copies of news published in connection with the incident, on-site videography, photographs, video clippings were taken into cognizance.
In its preliminary investigation, the SIT has held the event organisers primarily responsible for the accident on the basis of eyewitnesses and other evidence. On the basis of the investigation and proceedings done so far, the investigation committee has not ruled out any big conspiracy behind the accident and has stated the need for a thorough investigation.
The investigation committee has also found the event organisers and the tehsil level police and administration guilty.
The report states that the local SDM, CO, Tehsildar, Inspector, Chowki Incharge were negligent in discharging their responsibilities. SDM Sikandrarao granted permission for the event without inspecting the venue and did not even inform the senior officials. The said officials did not take the event seriously and did not even inform the senior officials.
The SIT recommended action against the concerned officials. On this basis, the state government has suspended SDM Sikandrarao, Police Circle Officer Sikandrarao, Police Station Head Sikandrarao, Tehsildar Sikandrarao, Outpost Incharge Kachora and Outpost Incharge Pora.
According to the SIT, the organizers took permission to organize the program by hiding facts. The conditions applicable for permission were not followed. The organizers did not make adequate and smooth arrangements by inviting unexpected crowd. Nor were the conditions of permission given by the local administration for the program followed. People associated with the organizing committee have been found guilty of creating chaos. The organizing committee misbehaved with the police. An attempt was made to stop the local police from inspecting the event venue. The satsang performers and the crowd were allowed to meet each other without any security arrangements. In view of the huge crowd, no barricading or passage arrangements were made here and when the accident occurred, the members of the organizing committee fled from the spot.
