A major accident took place in UP’s Baghpat district on Tuesday morning. A wooden platform fell on the Mann Stambh complex during the Nirvan Laddu festival of Lord Adinath.
BAGHPAT :
At least five people were killed and more than 40 injured after a wooden stage collapses at a religious event in Badaut , of the first Tirthankara in Jainism, Bhagwan Adinath, in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat on Tuesday.
According to District Magistrate Asmita Lal, the accident occurred at around 7.15 am at CPU school in Baraut. Several people had gathered there to celebrate ‘Nirvana Laddu Parv’ of the first Tirthankara in Jainism, Bhagwan Adinath.
“A ‘machaan’ (makeshift platform collapsed during the ‘Laddu Mahotsav’ program of the Jain community in Baraut. As per the information coming in, about 20-25 people were injured. Some had general injuries and received first aid before being sent home. 2-3 people are seriously injured, who are undergoing treatment in nearby hospitals,” said SP Arpit Vijayvargiya.
Rescue operation is underway at the site and the police administration is monitoring the situation.
“They had created a wooden structure that collapsed. All of the injured were brought to the district hospital for treatment. Twenty people were sent home after treatment, and the treatment of 20 people is ongoing,” said the DM.
According to the police, there is a ritual of touching the feet of the first Tirthankara during the festival. “While they were going to touch that, the stairs first collapsed, leading to the collapse of the stage,” said an officer.
Earlier today, speaking to reporters, Baghpat Superintendent of Police, Arpit Vijayvargiya said that 2-3 people are seriously injured in the incident and are receiving treatment at the hospital.
“Watchtower collapsed during the ‘Laddu Mahotsav’ program of the Jain community in Baraut. Soon after the incident, the teams of police, administration and fire department immediately reached the spot.
Injured were taken to nearby hospitals. About 20-25 people were injured. 2-3 people are seriously injured, who are undergoing treatment…” Baghpat SP told reporters.
Arpit Vijayvargiya, Superintendent of Police, said this festival has been held in Baghpat for the last 25 to 30 years. “They had taken a proper no-objection certificate (NOC), but now it is a matter of investigation as to why and how the stage collapsed,” said the SP.
Some eyewitnesses claimed that the injured could not get immediate medical assistance and had to be taken to hospital in e-rickshaws as there were ambulances available.
“We have ordered an inquiry, and none of those found guilty will be spared. Our priority is to arrange immediate medical help for the injured,” said Pankaj Verma, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Baraut.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the district administration officials to ensure proper treatment of the injured and also wished a speedy recovery to them.