Rahul, Shekhawat visit Jodhpur

Jodhpur, Oct 1 (UNI) Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Jaswant Singh today took stock of the situation at the Chamunda Temple here, even as Rajasthan observed state mourning as a mark of respect to 147 devotees who lost their lives during a stampede in this 548- year-old Temple here yesterday.

Mr Gandhi arrived here this afternoon to visit the temple at the Mehrangarh hilltop and to meet victims and their families.

After seeking first-hand information about yesterday's tragedy , the Amethi MP went to participate in the condolence meeting held in the Kalal Mohalla here to mourn the death of 10 residents of this old city locality.

Prior to this, Mr Shekhwat and Mr Singh, a former MP from Jodhpur, also visited the Suncity. Both the leaders avoided interaction with the media.

A three-member Congress committee constituted by the party state unit to probe the tragedy also visited the temple and other spots.

Meanwhile, one-day state mourning was observed in the state to Bemoan the tragic deaths.

The national flag atop government buildings and installations flew at half mast throughout the state and no entertainment programme at official level was held anywhere.

UNI SS ARB AS1811