Patna, Aug 18 (IANS) Following the tragic stampede in which seven people died and over a dozen were injured at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai in Bihar on the third Monday of Sawan, Jan Suraaj convener and Bankipur MLA, Prashant Kishor, visited the district on Tuesday to meet the injured and the bereaved families.
Kishor first visited Lakhisarai Sadar Hospital, where he met patients injured in the incident and enquired about their health and the treatment being provided to them.
He spoke with the injured to understand what happened and wished them a speedy recovery.
Kishor subsequently travelled to Pratappur village in Halsi block, where he met the families of three women who had died in the tragedy.
He expressed his condolences and assured the bereaved kin of all possible assistance.
After meeting the victims and their families, Kishor sharply criticised the Bihar government and district administration.
He alleged that despite the seriousness of the incident, no senior official had yet been held accountable.
He claimed that the administration appeared focussed on resolving the matter through compensation rather than determining responsibility.
Kishor questioned the practice of providing compensation of Rs 4 lakh, arguing that financial assistance alone cannot substitute for accountability when precious lives have been lost.
Kishor also questioned the status and scope of the investigation ordered after the incident.
He pointed out that the Commissioner and DIG had visited Lakhisarai and directed an enquiry, but said there was insufficient clarity about which officer was conducting the investigation and what specific aspects were being examined.
He demanded that the enquiry should establish who was responsible for the incident, and whether there were administrative or security lapses, which officials were responsible for any negligence, and what action should be taken against those found accountable.
Kishor also said that visits by elected representatives and ministers to the affected families were not enough, insisting that concrete administrative action must follow.
Several Jan Suraaj leaders and party workers accompanied Kishor during his visit, including Ravishankar Prasad Singh and Zila Parishad member Amit Sagar, along with local residents.
Kishor’s visit has added a political dimension to demands for an impartial investigation and accountability following the Ashok Dham temple tragedy in which seven people died and over a dozen were injured.
–IANS
ajk/rad