A two-member special investigation team committee has not ruled out the possibility of conspiracy in the stampede in Hathras of Uttar Pradesh which left 121 dead.
The committee’s main findings are that the organisers had not made proper arrangements for the event. It has also questioned those who the organisers had joined hands with "without proper police verification" and said these elements contributed to the chaos.
The local administration and the police also bear responsibility, as they did not take the magnitude of the event seriously. This includes the SDM, CO, tehsildar, Inspector and chowki in-charge. The SIT has recommended action against all officials who were part of the oversight.
The sub-divisional magistrate gave the permission for the event without visiting the venue and did not inform his seniors about the same.
On their part, the organisers hid vital facts from the administration and did not comply with the conditions for organising the event. This included proper arrangements for managing the ‘unprecedented crowd’.
The organisers also misbehaved with the local police and dissuaded them from inspecting the venue.
The crowds were let loose without any preparation. There was no barricading in place, no passage either. And as soon as the accident happened, members of the organising committee fled the spot, the probe team found.
Though there is no official figure available on the number of attendees, various estimates put the crowd anywhere between one to two and a half lakhs.
The committee, consisting of the ADG Zone, Agra and the Divisional Commissioner, Aligarh, visited the spot July 2, 3 and 5 and took statements from 125 witnesses, local administrative and police officials among others. It also took into consideration local media reports, videography, photographs, and video clippings.
The SIT emphasised that the conspiracy angle needs to be probed deeply.
Six people have so far been suspended over the stampede. A judicial inquiry is underway.
