At least three people were killed and several were injured in a stampede at the Khatu Shyamji Temple in Sikar early on Monday morning during the monthly fair. Two injured have been shifted to a hospital in Jaipur. The three deceased were women. Police have reached the spot and are exercising crowd control. A stampede took place at around 5 am at the entrance of the temple. The temple is considered to be one of the most important pilgrim destinations in Rajasthan and attracts huge crowds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his grief. “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at the Khatu Shyamji Temple complex in Sikar, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that those who are injured recover at the earliest,” the PM tweeted. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Taking to Twitter, Gehlot wrote, “The death of three women devotees due to a stampede in Khatu Shyamji Temple in Sikar is very sad and unfortunate. My deepest sympathies are with the bereaved family. May God give them strength to bear this loss and may the departed soul rest in peace.”
“Wishing a speedy recovery to the devotees injured in the stampede,” he said in a subsequent tweet. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who died in the stampede at Khatu Shyamji Temple and Rs 20,000 for those who were injured.
“The accident in Khatu Shyamji Temple will be investigated by the Divisional Commissioner. In this incident, instructions have been given to give Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the dead and Rs 20,000 to the injured from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF),” Gehlot said in a tweet.