Goat sacrifice row spurs fatal stampede in Bihar

Ten people killed, several injured in the temple premises where more than 45,000 had gathered

Posted On Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 11:23:23 PM

An argument over sacrificing goats on the last day of Navratri festival triggered a stampede that killed 10 people on Sunday in a packed temple here.

“More than 45,000 devotees had thronged the temple at Tildiha village under Sambhuganj Police Station area for offering prayers and sacrificing goats when the stampede occurred," said Director General of Police (DGP) Neelmani.

He said the injured are being treated at hospitals in Tarapur and Banka.

“As the worshippers lined up before the butcher, a scuffle broke out and some people were trampled,” Banka district spokesman Gupdeshwar Kumar said.

“People were vying with each other to get their goats sacrificed first, and they had a verbal duel with the butcher,” Kumar said.

Four women and six men died in the stampede, and another 11 were injured, three of them critically," Neelmani said.

Umesh Kumar, 35, a villager an eyewitness said, "The temple was so full, people didn't have any place to walk around.

There was commotion when people tried to get their goats sacrificed."

The district spokesman said that over 40,000 goats were sacrificed at the temple on Saturday.

Another eyewitness, Usha Rani who got injured in the stampede said, “The temple area was very crowded and people were literally fighting with each other to get their goats sacrificed first.”

From: http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/11/2010101720101017232323545cf4ffb7c/Goat-sacrifice-row-spurs-fatal-stampede-in-Bihar-.html