New Delhi, 31 March (H.S.):
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sorrow over the deadly stampede at a temple in Nalanda district, Bihar, and announced ex‑gratia financial assistance for the families of the deceased and the injured. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday morning at the Maa Sheetla Ashtami Temple in Magra (Maghda) village, Bihar Sharif, where at least eight devotees lost their lives and more than six others were injured in a crowd‑surge‑induced stampede‑like situation.
In an official message posted on the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) X handle, the Prime Minister described the Nalanda mishap as “deeply painful” and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He stated that the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would provide ₹2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 each to those injured in the tragedy. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and assured that the government stands with the affected families in this hour of distress.
The stampede took place amid a heavy rush of devotees at the Sheetla Mata temple on the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month, a customary prayer day that draws large crowds. Police and district administration officials rushed to the site and moved the victims to the Model Hospital in Bihar Sharif for treatment.
The local administration has launched a review of crowd‑management measures at the temple, as witnesses and officials pointed to bottlenecks and barricade failures as key triggers for the stampede.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
