Ratangarh Temple stampede: MP Govt. suspends Collector, three top officials

The Madhya Pradesh Government has suspended Datia Collector and three other top officials over the alleged lapses in connection with the Ratangarh Temple stampede.

The decision in this regard was taken last night after getting the nod from the Election Commission, as Madhya Pradesh is bound by the Model Code of Conduct after announcement of assembly elections.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan earlier yesterday announced the formation of an inquiry commission, and said that action would be taken within fifteen days of the submission of report into the Ratangarh Temple stampede.

"Yesterday's incident is terribly shocking and extremely unfortunate. We have also ordered a judicial inquiry. An inquiry commission would be set up tomorrow, and we appeal that the inquiry is completed within two months, and after the inquiry is over, immediate action would be taken within 15 days. Any one found guilty will be prosecuted," Chouhan said.

"At the time of festivals, precautions to be taken were given. We have delivered orders via video conferencing during festive time. We will re-analyze the rules we have already set," he added.

Chouhan yesterday wished to visit the stampede site, but he could not go there as he did not get permission from the Election Commission.

The Navratra festivities ended in tragedy on Sunday when several pilgrims, including women and children, were killed and more than 100 injured in a stampede on a bridge leading to the historic Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district. According to reports, the death toll has now risen to 139.

The injured have been admitted in district hospitals of Datia and Gwalior.

The stampede was triggered by rumours that the river bridge the devotees were crossing was about to collapse.

Survivors alleged that some people spread the rumor that the bridge was on the verge of collapse, resulting in panic.

The disaster was a repeat of the 2006 stampede when more than 50 pilgrims had got washed away falling in panic into the Sindh River off the same bridge in 2006.