Absence of police, volunteers caused Ganga Sagar tragedy: Eyewitnesses

KOLKATA - Absence of police vigil, lack of volunteers and irregular vessel services were the principal reasons for the stampede that led to the death of seven Ganga Sagar-bound pilgrims in a boat tragedy in West Bengal Thursday’s, eyewitnesses said.

The stampede occurred early morning when piligrims were trying to board a vessel to the Ganga Sagar fair in South 24 Parganas district, where lakhs of devotees had arrived to take a holy dip on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

“Police officials were not present to control the crowd. Every year there are volunteers and NCC cadets who control the crowd and help in maintaining law and order. But this year there were no sign of NCC cadets and volunteers,” said a pilgrim whose husband was seriously injured in the stampede.

The incident took place at one of the jetties from where pilgrims get into boats and cross the river to Kachuberia and then go to Sagar island, where the Ganga flows into the Bay of Bengal, about 80 km south of Kolkata.

“It was the result of ineffective policing. There were very few boats to ferry the piligrims to the Ganga Dagar fair. Even the medical assistance after the stampede arrived late,” said an eyewitness who survived the stampede with a slight injury.

“We came to the jetty around 11 p.m. Wednesday night. Till early morning there were no signs of any vessel. At last, when one was ready to go, everybody rushed. Had the services been regular, this would not have happened,” he said.

The injured have been admitted to Kakdweep Hospital and Diamond Harbour Sub-Divisional Hospital. Some of them are in serious condition.

Around 700,000 people converged at the famous Hindu pilgrim spot to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and to pray at the Kapil Muni Temple.