Hathras Stampede: Constable Ravi, posted at Awagarh police station in Etah district, suffered a heart attack after witnessing the dead bodies of the persons killed in Hathras Satsang and died at Etah Medical College, ABP News reported. Ravi had been stationed in Etah City on QRT duty with his colleague Shekhar Premi for a month. Upon receiving the information about the Harthas incident via wireless, he was instructed to proceed to Etah Medical College.
On arrival, Ravi saw the dead bodies from the incident and began to feel dizzy. District Magistrate Prem Ranjan Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar Singh, and other officers also arrived at the scene. Due to the heat, Ravi removed his shirt, and officers moved him to an air-conditioned room. However, he suddenly collapsed and died, the report said.
The Hathras stampede has claimed the lives of 116 people so far, most of them women. The tragedy occurred as devotees were leaving a "Satsang" in Phulrai village, led by a preacher known as "Bhole Baba".
Twenty-seven bodies were transported to a hospital in the neighboring Etah district, with Senior Superintendent of Polic Rajesh Kumar Singh confirming that 23 of these were women. Eight-nine victims remained in Hathras. Aligarh Range Inspector General of Police Shalabh Mathur reported the death toll at 116.
Victims, both dead and unconscious, were brought to the Sikandaa Rao Trauma Centre in trucks and 'tempos'. Bodies were scattered outside the health centre as onlookers gathered around. One video clip showed a woman weeping among several bodies in a truck, while another depicted a man and a woman lifeless in another vehicle.
Before the stampede, clips showed a large gathering in a 'shamiana' listing to Bhole Baba, who was seated on a throne-like chair. District Magistrate Ashish Kumar stated that the Satsang was a private function, for which the sub-divisional magistrate had granted permission. The local authorities provided security outside the venue, while the organisers managed the arrangements inside. Click here for live updates.
(With inputs from Rakesh Pratap Singh)