PRAYAGRAJ: The swift intervention and coordinated efforts of central forces, police, NDRF, and seers helped prevent the situation from escalating after a stampede broke out on Mauni Amavasya at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
As panic spread, NSG, BSF and NDRF personnel quickly created safe passages for devotees and ambulances. More than 3,500 BSF troopers, along with 20 teams of NDRF, were deployed across the mela area.
“We worked in coordination with UP Police to ensure an organised evacuation of devotees from congested areas,” a senior BSF officer said.
NDRF personnel played a crucial role by creating corridors for ambulances to navigate through the dense crowd.
Police and RAF personnel used ropes and formed human chains to regulate movement and prevent further chaos. Senior officers, including IG (Prayagraj range) Prem Gautam and mela SSP Rajesh Dwivedi, directed devotees through alternative routes. Rescue operations were swiftly carried out to free those trapped in the crowd.
Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) also made a key decision. At the time of the stampede, two of the 13 akharas had already begun their ceremonial procession towards Sangam Nose.
ABAP decided to halti the Amrit Snan for all akharas, allowing authorities to clear the area efficiently.
Following the tragedy, a meeting between the mela administration and seers from various akharas was held. It was unanimously decided this year’s Mauni Amavasya would be observed symbolically. “Accordingly, all 13 akharas performed the Amrit Snan in the pre-decided sequence, but only after noon,” an official said.