Fire at Kumbh Mela site after cylinder explodes; CM directs officials to compensate
Prayagraj (UP), Jan 14: A cooking gas cylinder exploded in a tent at the Digambar Ani Akhara at the Kumbh Mela site here on Monday, triggering a massive fire, prompting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to direct officials to compensate the loss immediately.
There was, however, no report of any one being injured, Akhara police station inspector Bhaskar Mishra told PTI.
The chief minister also directed the fire department to inspect all the tents and take necessary precautions, an official spokesperson said in Lucknow.
According to officials, the fire broke out around 12.45 pm. Soon after, six fire tenders and eight ambulances were rushed to the spot.
The fire-fighters, with the help of the mela administration, fire brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), took about 10 minutes to bring the blaze, which had engulfed the makeshift structure at the venue, under control, the police said.
Two vehicles and some materials kept at the site were damaged in the fire, they added.
The head of the Digambar Ani Akhara claimed that the fire broke out at an adjoining tent and spread to the kitchen tent of their camp, triggering the cylinder blast.
The fair officially opens on Tuesday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the first day of the sun's transit into the "Makara" (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days. It will conclude on March 4 on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
The Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years. More than 12 crore people are expected to take part in the event this year over the next 50 days.
#WATCH Fire fighting operations underway at a camp of Digambar Akhada at #KumbhMela in Prayagraj after a cylinder blast. No loss of life or injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/qcbh8IPl5Y
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2019
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4 held for sexually assaulting woman, girl on moving bus after social media alert in UP's Agra
Agra (UP) (PTI): Four people were arrested, after a prompt response by police following a social media alert, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and a girl inside a moving bus here, officials said on Tuesday.
According to an official police statement, at 12:27 am on April 27, information was received on the social media platform X about an incident of sexual assault on a bus travelling from Kanpur to Ahmedabad, which was approaching Namner crossing in Agra.
Acting under the direction of Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the Agra Police social media team immediately alerted the Rakabganj police station within minutes and coordinated with the victims to confirm the incident and obtain the exact location, it stated.
Police teams launched intensive checking at Namner crossing and intercepted the bus as it reached the spot. The four accused involved in the incident were apprehended on the spot, and legal action was initiated against them, the statement said.
The police said the swift response and coordination between the social media team and field units ensured timely action, bringing relief to the victims and other passengers, who expressed gratitude towards the police, it added.
