Stampede at Shivneri due to heavy crowding; several injured

Shiv Jayanti Celebrations

Stampede at Shivneri

Junnar (District Pune) – On the occasion of Shiv Jayanti, devotees from various parts of the State had gathered at Shivneri Fort since the previous day. Around midnight on 18 February, a massive crowd assembled near Hathi Darwaja below the Ambarkhana and in the vicinity of Ganesh Darwaja. As thousands of people gathered simultaneously on the narrow pathway, the situation went out of control.

The heavy rush put immense pressure on the police personnel deployed at the site, and the arrangements proved inadequate. A sudden stampede-like situation ensued. Due to pushing and jostling, several people fell over one another, and some sustained minor injuries. Women and children were among the injured.

The injured were immediately shifted to the Rural Hospital at Junnar for treatment. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, and doctors stated that the condition of all the injured was stable. The administration has deployed additional security personnel at the site and is implementing special measures to ensure that the remaining programmes are conducted peacefully.

Editorial Perspective

An inquiry must be conducted to determine responsibility and appropriate action must be taken.