Three girls hurt in stampede-like situation in Congress-organised marathon run in Bareilly

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 4

A stampede-like situation occurred during a marathon organised by the Congress as part of its election campaign in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh, leaving three girls injured on Tuesday. Officials said the turnout for the event was much higher than permitted.

The event was part of the party’s election campaign “Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon” (I am girl, I can fight) in which hundreds of girls and women took part.

While the Congress alleged that the incident was fallout of laxity on part of the district administration and a conspiracy, the BJP said the opposition party was making girls “pawns” for its “petty politics”.

“Permission was given for 200 children. However, the number of those who actually turned up for the event was much higher,” City Magistrate Rajiv Pandey said, adding that the incident would be thoroughly probed and action would be initiated against the guilty. He said a few of the injured were admitted to the district hospital.

Videos of the event showed there was no social distancing and many were not wearing masks, violating Covid protocols. As participants started the run, a few of them in the front tripped and fell on the ground, which led to a brief scare. The situation almost led to a stampede.

Congress leader and former Bareilly Mayor Supriya Arom, who organised the event, later said there was nothing to worry.