Question : Stampede Cases

(a) whether several incidents of stampede have been reported at various places of worship/pilgrimage centres and especially during festivals/fairs and if so, the details thereof including the number of such cases reported, including the number of persons killed/injured separately during each of the last three years and the current year, gender, location and State-wise;

(b) whether any inquiry has been conducted in this regard and if so, the details and outcome thereof along with the follow-up action taken, State-wise;

(c) the financial assistance provided to the families of the victims of such stampede during the said period, State-wise;

(d) whether any standard operating procedure/guidelines on crowd management and evacuation procedures has been framed and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to provide training to police personnel on crowd management and evacuation procedures along with the details of advisories issued to the States and Police departments to prevent such incidents in future?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*315 FOR 11.08.2015

(a): Yes, Madam. The details of significant stampede cases since 2012 are annexed.

(b) & (c): Police and Public order is a State subject. Hence, security at the religious places etc. is the responsibility of the State Governments/UT Administration. It is the State Governments/UT Administration which provide medical assistance and other necessary relief to the injured/families of the deceased of such incidents. Independent of the action by the State Governments/UT Administrations, ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of the deceased and those injured has also been made from time to time from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

(d): The Government of India issues advisories to State Governments/UT administrations from time to time with regard to crowd management and to ensure security and safety of the people visiting such religious places. The State Governments/UT Administrations have also been asked to play a proactive role to ensure foolproof security of religious place(s). The State Governments/UT Administrations have also been requested to set up State Level Security Committees (SLSC) to draft and implement security plans, Standard Operating Procedures (SPOs) etc. of places of religious importance.

(e): Crowd control and management is part of basic police training for all ranks in the police force. The State governments/UT Administrations are required to constantly upgrade training syllabus and methodology relating to crowd control and management. Further, the SOPs in this regard need constant review to keep in tune with changing situations. The Central Government issues advisories in this regard from time to time.

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