A woman died while seven others injured in a stampede during the Sharad Mahotsav celebration at Chas (Bokaro) on Tuesday evening. The women died from the police bullet which was fired after stampede, said an eyewitness.
The deceased was identified as Vibha Devi while three others were admitted in ICU at Bokaro General Hospital (BGH) where their conditions were said to be critical, hospital authority said. According to the eyewitness, incident occurred around 5 pm between Garga Bridge and Check post at Chas. The crowd of over 25,000 people were on their way from Ram Mandir, Bokaro to the function spot at Adarsh Vidya Mandir Chas.
“A large number of people participated in the procession. Many women carried Kalash on their head during the procession. Suddenly the guard rope broken and stampede triggered after rumors”, said another eyewitness. Unexpectedly, a security cop who was on duty fired during the stampede; the bullet hit the women who died on the spot, he said. Around 16 others including women, men and children were injured rushed to the local hospital and released after primary treatment, said Rajat a member of event organising committee, a resident of Chas. Meanwhile, several other eyewitnesses claimed the stampede was triggered by rumours and the woman died after the police bullet. While SP Bokaro denied the death of the woman from the police bullet.
