Uncounted Lives Lost: Sangam Ghat Stampede Overshadows Jhunsi's Silent Tragedy

The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, turned into a nightmarish tragedy on January 29, 2025, when a stampede at the Sangam Ghat claimed 30 lives and left 60 others injured. However, as reports emerge, it is now being revealed that another unreported stampede occurred in Jhunsi, just two kilometers away from the primary incident site. This second tragedy, which remains largely unacknowledged by authorities, allegedly caused multiple casualties and immense suffering.

A detailed ground report by Lallantop’s Abhinav Pandey and video journalist Mohan Kanaujia has brought to light chilling eyewitness testimonies, horrifying scenes of devastation, and the lack of timely intervention by the authorities. The aftermath of the disaster is now unfolding, exposing administrative lapses and delayed response by law enforcement.

Chaos and Horror: The Stampede at Sangam Ghat

• Incident Timing: The stampede at Sangam Nose occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., as lakhs of devoteesrushed towards the ghat for a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya.
• Crowd Mismanagement: The influx of devotees was so massive that the situation spiraled out of control, with people breaking barricades and forcefully pushing forward.
• Casualties: At least 30 people lost their lives, and 60 others sustained serious injuries.
• Delayed Rescue Efforts: The rescue operation was slow, with police and medical teams struggling to manage the disaster.
• Security Lapses: Many injured individuals were carried away on makeshift stretchers, while personal belongings lay scattered across the ground, highlighting the chaotic aftermath.

The Hidden Tragedy: The Unreported Jhunsi Stampede

• A Second Stampede: While global media covered the Sangam Nose tragedy, eyewitnesses revealed that another stampede occurred in Jhunsi, across the river, around 6 a.m.
• Eyewitness Testimonies:
  • Neha Ojha, a local vendor at the Haldiram kiosk, stated:
    "There were dead bodies lying here, and no one was asking about them. The bodies of those who died due to suffocation in the morning were not taken away until 1:30 p.m. A female constable arrived four hours after the stampede. The police were stopping people from recording videos."
  • Another Haldiram employee confirmed:
    "There were four dead bodies inside the kiosk, which were later taken away. I claim that at least 24 people died at this place alone. Children were being trampled, but no one was there to help them. A lot is being hidden from the public. People have the right to know the truth."
• Massive Looting Amidst Chaos: The lack of law enforcement led to widespread looting during the chaos.
  • Eyewitness Account: "Rs 1.8 lakh was looted from our cash counter. Elderly people's bodies were being retrieved from the debris of clothes and shoes. Two people died right in front of the tent."
  • Reports of Thefts: Amidst the panic, personal belongings such as laptops, iPhones, and wallets were reportedly stolen from devotees caught in the crowd.
• Absence of Media Coverage: According to eyewitnesses, no media personnel were present at the Jhunsi incident site at the time, preventing immediate coverage of the tragedy.

Delayed Response and Official Statements

• 18 Hours Delay in Investigation: Journalist Abhinav Pandey reached the Jhunsi site around midnight on January 29, almost 18 hours after the tragedy, yet evidence of the stampede was still visible.
• Authorities Deny the Second Stampede: Despite mounting evidence, Mela DIG Vaibhav Krishna stated:
  "We do not have any information about the second stampede. However, we will gather inputs about any such event, if it has happened at all. We will get the sequence of events investigated and take corrective measures to avert any such incident in the future."
• Judicial Probe Ordered: In response to public outcry, a judicial inquiry has been initiated to investigate the administrative failures leading to the stampedes.

Political Reactions and Public Outrage

• Government Response: The Uttar Pradesh government has refrained from disclosing the exact casualty count and has remained tight-lipped about the Jhunsi incident.
• Opposition Criticism: The Congress party accused the government of gross negligence, stating that “half-baked arrangements” led to avoidable deaths.

Aftermath and Next Steps

• Amrit Snan Resumes: The 'Amrit Snan' procession, initially deferred due to the tragedy, resumed at 2:30 p.m., led by Mahant Ravindra Puri, albeit on a smaller scale.
• Upcoming Risk: With the third Amrit Snan scheduled for February 3, officials are now under pressure to prevent another disaster.

Sources: The Hindu, The New Indian Express & The Lallantop.