Bhubaneswar: Expressing concern over the stampede incident at the Kumbh Mela festival which left 30 persons dead and 60 injured, a human rights activist filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission seeking specific information on the number of Odia devotees among the casualties.
According to petitioner Puri-based activist, Odia pilgrims might also be included among the deceased devotees. However, the exact number of Odia casualties, critically injured, and missing persons remains unclear. The state government has not provided a clear statement on the matter, and there is a sense of urgency to gather more information about the affected Odia devotees.
The incident has prompted Jayanta Das, a human rights activist from Puri, to file a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission. He urged the Commission to ensure that the incident is thoroughly investigated and that the affected families receive adequate compensation and support.
He demanded the Commission to provide compensation of Rs 30 lakh to the families of each deceased and Rs 5 lakh to those critically injured. Additionally, the opposition has urged the state government to immediately set up a separate camp at the Kumbh Mela to ensure the safety and security of Odia devotees.
