Uttar Pradesh Initiates SOPs for Large Gatherings After Hathras Stampede

GG News Bureau
Lucknow, 4th July. In the aftermath of the tragic stampede in Hathras claiming 121 lives, Uttar Pradesh minister Asim Arun announced on Wednesday that the state government has begun drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to regulate large gatherings effectively. These measures are aimed at preventing such devastating incidents in the future.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to formulate comprehensive SOPs, stipulating that event permissions will only be granted if essential amenities are meticulously arranged, Asim Arun, Minister of State for Social Welfare, revealed. Arun, part of a committee overseeing relief efforts post-stampede, highlighted the need for stringent guidelines.

“We need a detailed SOP for gatherings, whether they host 1,000 or one lakh people,” Arun emphasized, stressing the importance of adequate civic amenities like toilets, water supply, and emergency exits.

Reflecting on the tragic events, Arun acknowledged lapses in crowd management by event volunteers and stressed the need for greater involvement of experienced authorities such as police and magistrates.

Addressing the negligence at the satsang event, Arun pointed out deficiencies in parking and insufficient entry and exit points, factors contributing to the tragedy. An FIR has been lodged against the organizers, highlighting violations such as overcrowding far exceeding the permitted limit of 80,000 attendees.

Chief Minister Adityanath, who visited Hathras on Wednesday, met with the injured and families of the deceased, ordering a judicial inquiry by a retired high court judge to ascertain accountability and prevent such tragedies in the future.