Overcrowding one reason behind Hathras stampede: UP chief secretary

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh on Tuesday said overcrowding was one of the reasons behind the stampede at a religious congregation in Phulrai village here which claimed at least 116 lives.

After the 'satsang' on Tuesday, devotees were running after the vehicle of Baba Narayan Hari, who is also known as Saakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba and had organised the event, while some bent down to collect soil from the venue and fell, Singh said.

The chief secretary visited the stampede site with Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar.

"This incident is very sad and heart-wrenching. The chief minister is monitoring each and every development. Our first priority is to ensure that the injured get proper treatment," Singh told reporters.

Later, speaking to PTI, the chief secretary said, "Overcrowding is one of the reasons (behind the stampede). There was a race among people who were running after his (Bhole Baba's) vehicle. It has also been learnt that people