On Mauni Amavasya, the sacred banks of the Sangam saw an overwhelming influx of devotees, with crores arriving as early as midnight.
Many had gathered a day in advance, creating a massive and crowded scene at the ghats. Eyewitnesses described a stampede-like situation due to the immense pressure of the devotees. However, the swift and effective response of the Uttar Pradesh Police prevented a potential tragedy, claimed an official spokesman of the UP government.
He said that displaying exceptional professionalism, the police acted quickly to restore order and ensure the safety of the pilgrims, significantly minimising the situation’s impact. The spokesman said that a devotee trapped in the chaos described the police as ‘guardian angels,’ stating that their timely intervention saved countless lives.
Due to the overwhelming crowd and excitement, a near-stampede situation arose late at night. However, the administration acted quickly and brought the situation under control, preventing a major disaster, the spokesman said.
The spokesman claimed that police and RAF personnel used ropes to manage the crowd, ensuring a systematic movement of devotees.
Senior police officials, including IG Prem Kumar and Mela SSP Rajesh Dwivedi, reached the site immediately.
They directed the crowd through alternative routes, ensuring the safety of all pilgrims. An official release claimed that eyewitnesses praised the swift action of the UP Police, stating that their timely intervention prevented a major disaster.
Police personnel quickly rescued those trapped in the crowd and guided them to safety. Following a well-rehearsed emergency plan, a green corridor was immediately set up, ensuring smooth movement of ambulances. With ambulances running at one-minute intervals, injured pilgrims were quickly transported to hospitals, the spokesman said.
Timely medical aid prevented their condition from worsening, showcasing the efficiency and preparedness of the police force, he added.
DIG (Kumbh) Vaibhav Krishna stated that an unprecedented number of devotees arrived in Prayagraj, with estimates exceeding 10 crore pilgrims.
Officers were actively engaged in crowd management since Tuesday night, ensuring smooth bathing at all ghats, including the Sangam. The situation is now fully under control, he added.
SSP (Kumbh) Rajesh Dwivedi highlighted that there was extreme overcrowding at Sangam Nose, but swift action helped stabilise the situation.
Immediate appeals were made to pilgrims to use designated ghats for bathing and return home safely.
Notably, UP Police personnel have been working for 10-12 hours at a stretch, assisting devotees and managing crowd pressure despite facing public frustration. Measures like route diversions were implemented to prevent untoward incidents. The administration consistently urged pilgrims to use the same ghats from which they arrived for bathing. The officials highlighted that it is not feasible for everyone to bathe at the Sangam and called for public cooperation to maintain order and safety during the Maha Kumbh.