‘Deeply painful accident’: PM Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announce Nalanda stampede compensation

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday expressed condolences over the casualties in the Nalanda stampede and announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims.At least eight women were killed in the incident at the Sitaramatha temple, where a large number of devotees gathered in the morning, police said.Also read: At least eight women were killed and six others injured in a stampede at the Sheetala Mata temple in Nalanda, Bihar.A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying: “The accident in Bihar’s Nalanda district is deeply painful. My condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.”“PMNRF (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) will provide an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person. The injured will be given Rs 50,000,” the statement added.Meanwhile, Kumar announced that the Disaster Management Department will provide an ex-gratia of Rs 400,000 to each bereaved family member and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund will provide an ex-gratia of Rs 200,000 to each bereaved family member.An official release said: “Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed deep condolences for the devotees who lost their lives in the stampede at the Sharifshitra Devi Temple in Bihar, Nalanda district. As per the chief minister’s instructions, senior officials have reached the scene of the accident and are actively involved in the rescue operation. The chief minister wishes a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident and has issued instructions to ensure that they receive appropriate medical attention.” According to officials, the stampede occurred during the weekly market due to overcrowding. Devotees at the scene claimed there were not enough police personnel to manage the crowd. In view of the seriousness of the situation, shops set up in areas surrounding the exhibition have been ordered to close.