Deoghar returns to normalcy after brief stirs

The earthly abode of lord Shiva returned to usual business on Tuesday after a brief spell of protest by Kanwarias with the body of a fellow pilgrim in the morning. The Deoghar district administration arranged transport facility to send the body to the deceased’s native place to keep situation under control as the stampede toll also did not register any increase after 24 hours of the incident.

As many as 11 pilgrims had died in a stampede on Monday and around 50 sustained injuries due to chaos at Belabagan in Deoghar. All injured are receiving medical treatment at government hospital at Deoghar while those dead will be sent back to their home.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, pilgrims blocked road at Tower Chowk to vent their anguish over the alleged mismanagement on the part of the Deoghar district administration. However, the administration swung into action to remove the blockade and assured assistance in sending the victim’s body to their respective places.

Principal Secretary to CM Raghubar Das, Sanjay Kumar accompanied by Santhal Pargana Divisional Commissioner l Khyangate and Health Secretary K Vidyasagar visited the civil hospital Deoghar to see the hospital management which was not found managed.

Sanjay Kumar reviewed the fair with the DC and SP and gave some directions, including installation of CCTV up to Belabagan, lighting system as well as signage along with the footpaths.

“Arrangements are being made to send the dead body to the victim’s place. The blockade was for just for few hours and situation has returned to normal. There has been no increase in the number of casualty over the reported figures,” said Deoghar District Public Relations Officer, BP Jha.

Nonetheless, the district administration did not rule out hooliganism by some pilgrims under the influence of intoxicants and stressed upon indentifying them to prevent reoccurrence of mob rush in future.

Meanwhile, all the four pilgrims admitted at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences are out of danger and one has been declared fit by the RIMS administration. However, the patients will be kept under observation for next two to three days to allow healing and recovery from trauma.

“One is completely normal. One who was critical and two others are also out of danger. We will keep them under observation as it normally takes two to three days to recover from trauma,” said RIMS Superintendent, Dr SK Chaudhary.

Although the pilgrims are back in shape to head back to their home, loss of money and other belongings have kept them grounded at the government owned hospital at Ranchi. Moreover, they claim to have no information about government’s arrangement to unite them to their family.

“I have no money and no mobile phone to contact my family back at Asansol. I don’t know how I will go back as there is no information regarding what is being done by authorities to ensure my return,” said Balram, a victim of Monday’s tragedy.

Chaudhary said that the victims will be allowed to go once the formality regarding compensation and other announcements made by the state government is completed.