In the aftermath of the tragic stampede at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Maghra village of Nalanda district, where 8 people lost their lives, the administration has taken strict action against police personnel for alleged negligence. Nalanda Superintendent of Police, Bharat Soni, suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) of Deepnagar Police Station, Rajmani, due to serious security lapses. Four other police personnel have also faced suspension for dereliction of duty.
Initial investigations revealed significant gaps in crowd management at the temple premises. Security responsibilities were inadequately handled by a single watchman, and senior officials were not promptly informed despite increasing crowd pressure. These lapses allowed the situation to escalate, leading to the tragic stampede.
The incident occurred on a day known for attracting a large number of devotees for special prayers. As the crowd surged inside the temple premises, panic ensued, resulting in the deadly stampede. 8 women lost their lives, and many others sustained injuries, with several still receiving medical treatment.
The tragedy sparked anger among locals and victims’ families, who blamed the administration for negligence. In response, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and senior officials, including Patna range IG Jitendra Rana, has been formed to probe the incident. The team is scrutinizing crowd control arrangements, security personnel deployment, and communication failures within the police system.
The administration has pledged strict action against those accountable for the mishap. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed profound sorrow over the incident and announced compensation for the deceased victims’ families. Each family will receive Rs 6 lakh, with Rs 4 lakh from the Disaster Relief Fund and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. CM Nitish Kumar also assured that all injured individuals are receiving necessary medical care at the government’s expense.
