17 Puri stampede witnesses depose before officer
"Statements of 17 persons were recorded during the public hearing. The investigation is continuing," Garg informed the press. She plans to hear additional eyewitness accounts in Puri on Thursday. She has invited people to submit any relevant information, video recordings or additional evidence to ensure a comprehensive investigation.
Bhubaneswar-based businessman Baikuntha Nath Mishra, who was testified, stated, "I was present at the stampede site.
The tragedy struck between 3.50 am and 4 am when thousands of devotees had gathered at a narrow place in front of the chariots for darshan. Inadequate crowd control measures resulted in the stampede."
Another witness from Bhubaneswar, Pranab Kishore Sahoo, who deposed before the investigation committee, indicated that proper anticipation of weekend crowds by police could have prevented the incident.
"The situation escalated when the darshan system was temporarily closed.
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Upon resumption in the early morning hours, impatient devotees pushed forward for a better view, triggering the stampede," Sahoo said.
Other witnesses criticised the administration's decision to permit two trucks carrying wooden ladders for the chariots. "The space in front of the chariots was already packed with people. But two trucks passed through us, further squeezing the area, leading to the stampede. There were fewer cops to streamline the truck movement," said Manoj Kumar Mishra, another witness.
He said wooden logs placed in front of the chariots turned slippery in the rain. "Some devotees slipped and fell," said Mishra.
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