7 killed, about 60 injured as wooden structure collapses at religious event in UP's Baghpat
Baghpat (UP), Jan 28 (PTI): Seven people died and about 60 were injured after a temporary wooden structure collapsed at a religious event in Baraut city of this district on Tuesday, officials said.
The incident occurred at around 8 am during a programme organised for the 'Abhishek' of Lord Adinath on Shri Digambar Jain Degree College ground on Gandhi Road in Baraut, they said.
The event was part of the Moksha Kalyanak Nirvana Mahotsav of the Jain community under the aegis of Shri 1008 Adinath Bhaktaambar Prachar.
Of the injured, 20 were discharged after they were administered first aid while 39 are undergoing treatment at a hospital, the officials said, adding that about 100 people were present at the event.
The wooden stairs of the 65-foot temporary stage built in the Maanstambh Complex broke due to which the devotees on the stage and standing near it fell down, police said.
A case has been registered against a contractor in connection with the incident, the officials said, adding a magisterial inquiry has been ordered.
Earlier in the day, District Magistrate Asmita Lal told reporters that five people were killed and 39 sustained injuries in the accident.
She added that the annual event has been held here for the last 30 years.
Later, Additional District Magistrate Pankaj Verma told PTI that two more people died during treatment, taking the toll to seven. He said 39 people were undergoing treatment in the hospital.
Some eyewitnesses claimed that the injured could not get immediate medical assistance and had to be taken to hospital in e-rickshaws as there were no ambulances available.
A government spokesperson said that a case has been registered against a contractor who had made the wooden structure.
The district magistrate has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, which will submit its reports in a week, the spokesperson said.
Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya said permission was taken for the programme by the organisers. "We are probing the incident," he said.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the district administration officials to ensure proper treatment of the injured and also wished a speedy recovery to them.
Meanwhile, panic gripped the area after the incident resulting in a stampede-like situation. Police personnel rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.
According to those present at the event, the temporary stairs could not bear the weight of the huge crowd of devotees and gave way.
The Samajwadi Party accused the state government of negligence.
"Due to government and administrative negligence and carelessness, there was no monitoring of crowd control at the religious festival...hundreds of devotees are reported to be injured and there is unconfirmed information of some casualties. We pray to God that everyone is safe," the SP media cell said on X.
"Yogi government is concerned with putting on a spectacle in the name of religion but the people are not getting any facilities and security. There is no arrangement for crowd control and safety of devotees due to which accidents often happen at religious events...and the BJP-Yogi government washes its hands off," it said.
बागपत में हादसा 7 की मौत.. 65 फिट ऊंचा मंच टूटा..करीब 80 लोग घायल.. जैन समाज के निर्वाण महोत्सव में हुआ हादसा।#Bagpath #Accident pic.twitter.com/TTUH3ynlXM
— Devesh Pandey (@iamdevv23) January 28, 2025
बागपत में धार्मिक आयोजन के दाैरान 65 फीट ऊंचा मंच टूटा, सात लोगों की माैत, सीएम योगी ने जताया दुख, जयंत चाैधरी माैके पर पहुंचे। हादसे में 50 से ज्यादा श्रद्धालु घायल हुए हैं।#Baghpat pic.twitter.com/R4bI1HaMQE
— Dimple sirohi (@DimpleSirohi) January 28, 2025
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
IPL: BCCI bans "unauthorised" entries in players' rooms; warns of honey traps, security risk
New Delhi (PTI): Warning of potential "honey traps, legal liability and security risks", the BCCI has banned unauthorised visitors from the hotel rooms of players, support staff and team officials in the IPL after incidents of "misconduct and protocol violations" were flagged by the Board's Anti-Corruption Unit.
In an elaborate advisory for the 10 IPL franchises, the BCCI has said that written authorisation from the team managers would be a must for guests to have access to the players' and officials' rooms.
"The advisory has been issued in light of certain incidents observed during ongoing season and is intended to reinforce the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness and protocol compliance expected from all stakeholders associated with IPL," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a communication to the CEOs of the franchises, a copy of which is in possession of PTI.
"It has come to the attention of the BCCI that certain incidents of misconduct and protocol violation have occurred involving players, support staff and team officials during the course of the current IPL season.
"These incidents if left unaddressed, carry the potential to cause significant reputational harm to the tournament, the franchise concerned and the BCCI as the Governing Body. They may further expose individuals and franchises to legal liability and security risks of serious nature," he went on to warn in the preamble of the document.
The Board noted that certain players and support staff members have permitted unauthorised persons to access their hotel rooms without the knowledge or approval of the concerned Team Manager.
"In a number of instances, Team Manager was entirely unaware of the presence of such visitors. The practice is strictly prohibited with immediate effect," the notification ordered.
All players and support staff have now been given a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that needs to be followed for the duration of the tournament.
"No guest shall be escorted to private hotel rooms unless Team Manager has specifically authorised the same in writing. The BCCI draws attention to all franchises to the well documented risks of targeted compromise and honey trapping that pervade high profile sporting environments.
"The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable Indian laws on sexual misconduct cannot be discounted. IPL franchises must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times," the Board stated.
It also banned players and support staff from leaving team hotels at "irregular hours" without informing their designated Security Liaison Officer (SLO) and Team Integrity Officer (TIO).
Saikia said periodic checks might be conducted by the BCCI or the IPL Operations Team to ensure compliance with the guidelines and breaches would invite sanctions ranging from financial penalties to suspension or disqualification of the concerned player, support staff and team official.
Owners barred from player interaction during games
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The document also highlighted breaches by unspecified team owners, alleging that they have not maintained the sanctity of Players' And Match Officials Access (PMOA).
"Specifically instances have been observed of IPL franchises owners attempting to communicate with, approach, hug, or otherwise physically interact with players during live match situations.
"Such conduct however well-intentioned, directly contravenes established protocol and may constitute interference with team dynamics and match proceedings," the Board asserted.
The BCCI has therefore banned owners from interacting with the players while a match is on.
"IPL franchise owners and their representatives are strictly prohibited from communicating with or physically accessing players or team officials in the dugout, dressing room or playing area during course of the match, except through designated and approved channels.
"All franchise owner level access to restricted zones must strictly conform to the PMOA Protocol as communicated by the IPL operations divisions. Any deviation shall be treated as serious violation."
Prohibition of Vaping
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Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag was seen vaping in the dressing room balcony during a match, causing a uproar. Without naming Riyan, Saikia said indulging in a banned activity as per Indian law will not be tolerated by the Board.
"It is pertinent to note that vapes and electronic cigarettes is prohibited under applicable Indian Law.
"Any individual found engaging in such conduct within tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under applicable statutory framework," he said.
"Accordingly the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is strictly banned within all IPL tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels and practice facilities."
