3 women die in stampede outside Rajasthan temple

Sikar (Rajasthan), August 8

Three women were killed in a stampede outside the district’s Khatu Shyamji temple when people waiting in queues tried to rush in as its doors opened in the early hours of Monday.

Four others were injured in the incident on a day when tens of thousands of people from Rajasthan and neighbouring states were headed to the famous temple to mark “Gyaras” or “Ekadashi”.

Sikar Collector Avichal Chaturvedi said close to one lakh people were outside the main gate. They started queuing up after the doors closed the previous night.

The stamped took place a little before 4.30 am. There was rush to enter and a woman fell, triggering the stampede that also killed two others, according to officials. “The lines for the entry to the temple start at different points and converge at the entry point,” he said.

SP K Rashtradeep said a 63-year-old woman who suffered from a heart ailment collapsed. “Two women behind her too fell due to the rush.” Victim Shanti Devi’s brother Mangat Ram was among those in the queue. “The stampede took place as soon as the temple opened for prayers,” he said.