According to the police authorities, the event pertained to a ritual of touching the feet of the first Tirthankara during the festival. “While they were going to touch that, the stairs first collapsed, leading to the collapse of the stage,” said an senior police officer.Those who lost life in the incident were identified as Amit (40), Usha(65), Tarashpal Jain (75), Shilpi Jain (25), Arun Jain (48), Kamlesh (65) and Vipin Jain (44).Taking cognizance of the incident, CM Yogi Adityanath extended his condolences to the bereaved families and directed officials to ensure proper medical assistance to those injured. Union Skill Development Minister and RLD chief Jayant Chaudhury met the injured in hospital.Baghpat SP Arpit Vijayvargiya said the festival had been a traditional affair in Baghpat for the last 25 -30 years. “They had taken a proper no-objection certificate (NOC), but now it is a matter of investigation as to why and how the stage collapsed,” said the SP adding that there was a crowd of at least 500-700 devotees at the spot at the time of mishap.“We have ordered an inquiry, and none of the guilty will be spared. Our priority is to arrange immediate medical help for the injured,” said Pankaj Verma, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Baraut.The injured people were rushed to local hospitals, and the toll could go up, said officials, adding that rescue operations were going on. The injured were reportedly shifted to hospitals on e-rickshaws in dearth of adequate ambulances.“We are taking every possible measure to ensure proper medical care to the injured. A magisterial n inquiry has been ordered, and those responsible will be dealt with sternly,” said the Baghpat SDM.Meanwhile, the local sources claimed that the contractor who had made the stairs to climb the 65-ft high stage was taken into custody.
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