Prayagraj, July 3: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived in Hathras on Wednesday, a day after 121 people lost their lives in a tragic stampede during a religious gathering. The incident occurred near Phulrai village in the Sikandrarau area, where thousands had assembled for a 'satsang' conducted by religious preacher Bhole Baba.
During his visit, Chief Minister Adityanath held meetings with officials at the Hathras police lines to assess the situation. He also visited Hathras government hospital to meet with the injured, as the number of casualties stood at 28 on Tuesday.
According to government sources, identification of the deceased has been largely completed, with only four bodies yet to be identified — one each in Hathras and Aligarh, and two in Etah. All bodies in Agra have been identified, as confirmed by an official statement to PTI in Hathras.
On the same day, Uttar Pradesh police filed charges against the organizers of the gathering, alleging concealment of evidence and violation of attendance limits. The event, initially permitted for 80,000 attendees, reportedly drew around 2.5 lakh people.
A special team comprising ADG Agra and Aligarh Divisional Commissioner has been tasked with investigating the incident's cause. The government expects their report to be submitted promptly.
"Our government is committed to uncovering the truth behind this incident and ensuring appropriate punishment for those responsible," Chief Minister Adityanath stated while addressing reporters on Tuesday. "We will thoroughly investigate whether this was an accident or a deliberate act," he emphasized.
