Woman kanwariya killed in Bengal stampede

Kolkata, Aug 4: A 50-year-old woman kanwariya was killed and over a dozen were injured in a stampede Monday in West Bengal's Hooghly district, police said.

The incident happened in Kamarkundu when a railway crossing was opened and hundreds of kanwariyas (Hindu pilgrims) rushed in, leading to a stampede.

"A 50-year-old woman was killed, while at least 12 others have been injured. The crossing was closed for over an hour and when it was opened, the kanwariyas rushed in leading to a stampede," said a police officer.

"Had there been proper police arrangement, the incident would not have happened. There were several hundreds of kanwariyas and a long line of trucks. As soon as the gates opened, everybody jostled among themselves to get ahead leading to a melee," said an eyewitness.

IANS