Temple doors open after tragedy amid strong police presence

Jodhpur, Oct 1 : One day after nearly 150 people were killed in the stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur, the shrine was today opened for devotees but few people turned up.

Compared to the thousands who had gathered to offer prayers at the temple on the first day of Navaratri festival on Tuesday, their number on Wednesday morning was reduced to just a few, officials said.

"The devout are visiting the temple but it is different from what it was yesterday before the tragedy struck. It was like a fair and now is deserted," they said.

Authorities beefed up police presence along the two-kilometer route to the temple in the15th century Mehrangarh Fort.

The officials said that casualties occurred in the queue meant for men while that for the women and children was unaffected.

According to reports, a rush of devotees caused the trampling as the doors of the temple were opened for worship at dawn on Tuesday morning.

Over 55 persons, who sustained injury in the stampede, are being treated in various hospitals of Jodhpur.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who had visited the stampede site on Tuesday, has ordered a judicial probe into the incident.

ANI