Acting on a complaint filed by Angul-based Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain on fatal accident in the Sindh river where nearly 100 persons were killed on October 13, 2013, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) to submit a report within four weeks.
According to the complainant, a group of people who wanted to cut through a long queue to reach Ratangarh temple spread a rumour that the bridge on the Sindh river was on the verge of collapse, resulting in panic and a stampede.
The complainant further alleged that as the police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob, the pilgrims jumped into the river to save their lives resulting in their deaths.
The complainant urged the apex rights panel to compensate Rs 10 lakh to the kin of each deceased and initiate criminal proceedings against the concerned police officials.