UP Govt Will Bear Education Expenses Of Kids Who Lost Their Parents In Hathras Tragedy

Hathras: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday addressed the devastating Hathras incident which claimed 121 lives and assured the victims that the state government will bear the education expenses of the children who lost their parents in the tragedy. 

A stampede that broke out at a religious event in Hathras on Monday claimed 121 lives and left many others injured, said officials said. The event was led by the self-styled godman, Bhole Baba aka Narayan Saakar Hari.

Addressing a press briefing on the Hathras stampede, CM Yogi said, “The minor children of the innocent people who became victims of this incident, who are school students, will be facilitated in their education under Uttar Pradesh Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana.” 

The Uttar Pradesh CM also announced monetary compensation for the victims of the stampede. “Families of each deceased are being given ex-gratia of Rs 4 Lakhs and Rs 1 Lakh will be given to those who sustained minor injuries,” CM Yogi said. 

Yogi Assures Accountability

The Uttar Pradesh boldly assured accountability in the Hathras stampede and claimed that the guilty will be punished. “Those who play with the lives of innocent people will be held accountable for this.”

“We cannot deny this stampede is not an accident... (but), if not accident, then it was a conspiracy by whom? We will conduct a judicial inquiry under a retired High Court judge,” the Uttar Pradesh CM added. 

Yogi Visits Stampede Site

The Chief Minister visited the Hathras stampede site earlier today and took stock of the situation. He was accompanied by senior state officials including the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police. 

“I visited the site of the incident to see the initial arrangements of the causes of the accident and our 3 ministers were camping there since yesterday. The Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police have also camping here since yesterday. Senior officers of the police and administration are already there. Further action is also being taken in the direction of fixing the accountability of those responsible for this entire incident, in which their proceedings will now begin in different districts and after the initial investigation, we will work to take further action forward," he said. 

Children were among 121 crushed to death by a frenzied crowd - by some estimates over 2.5 lakh - in Hathras during the religious gathering. The crowd gathered in large numbers to attend a 'Satsang', or 'prayer meet', by Bhole Baba, who's absconding since the incident.