VARANASI/CHANDAULI, Oct 15 - Twenty-four people were killed and 50 others injured in a stampede on an overcrowded Rajghat bridge on the border of Varanasi and Chandauli when followers of a religious leader were crossing it to attend a congregation this afternoon.
The incident took place in the Ramnagar police station area of Varanasi, when thousands of followers of Jai Gurudev were proceeding towards Domri village in Chandauli for the two-day samagam (camp) that got under way today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MP from Varanasi, expressed anguish over the incident and announced a solatium of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, while directing the Commissioner of Varanasi to institute a magisterial inquiry into the incident, extended ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in the incident and free treatment to the injured. � PTI
