Congress demands probe into Naina Devi stampede

New Delhi, Aug 4 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today condoled the death of about 145 people in the stampede in Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh as her Party demanded a probe to ascertain how the accident happened.

''It is a great shock and sorrow that many children were among those who died,'' AICC Spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told mediapersons.

She said a probe was essential as there were contradictory reports about the cause of the stampede. Some reports said it was caused by landslide, while some others said it was because of a police lathicharge to control the crowd.

Ms Natarajan asked the state government to take steps to extend help to the families of the victims, while taking immediate measures for the rehabilitation of those who were injured in the stampede.

She said it was important that the government made perfect arrangement to ensure the safety of the pilgrims who used to visit the temple in large numbers on auspicious days.

UNI SH AE CS1810