In the wake of the tragic stampede during Mauni Amavasya at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh’s Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh visited the site on Thursday to assess the situation and review security arrangements for the upcoming third Amrit Snan on February 3, in celebration of Vasant Panchami.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Vaibhav Krishna announced that authorities are focusing on strengthening security measures and crowd management for the Vasant Panchami festivities. In light of reduced crowds, all bridges have been reopened, and personnel are being deployed as per a zonal plan to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims.
“We are making preparations for the upcoming Amrit Snan on Vasant Panchami. Given the reduced crowd, we’ve reopened all bridges and are enhancing security duties,” said Vaibhav Krishna. “Just like we did on 29 January, VIP movement will be restricted on 3 February to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all participants. Our personnel are fully prepared for crowd management.”
This comes after a stampede-like situation occurred on January 29, during the Mauni Amavasya celebrations, resulting in several fatalities and injuries. As of the latest reports, at least 30 people were killed, and 60 others were injured during the early morning stampede at the Maha Kumbh. Authorities confirmed that 25 of the deceased have been identified.
The tragic incident occurred when millions of devotees gathered at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers for the auspicious Mauni Amavasya ritual, which also marked the Second Shahi Snan.
In response to the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the families of the deceased. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragedy. A three-member judicial commission, headed by Justice Harsh Kumar, former DG VK Gupta, and retired IAS officer DK Singh, will conduct the investigation and submit its findings to the government within a set timeframe.
To oversee the developments related to the Maha Kumbh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has postponed his planned visit to Delhi for election campaigning and will remain focused on the situation in Prayagraj.