Sirsa, India - Five women devotees were killed and six others, including two men, injured in a stampede inside the premises of religious sect Dera Sacha Sauda here, apparently triggered by rumours about the presence of a snake, officials said today.
The incident took place last night at a function to mark the 62nd foundation day of the Dera, located about 15 kms from here, Sirsa Deputy Commissioner Yudhvir Singh told PTI.
He said that preliminary reports indicated that during the function, someone spread a rumour about the presence of a snake, following which the devotees started running helter—skelter leading to the stampede. The Dera is headed by Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, who is facing criminal cases.
The deceased, mostly aged between 40 to 65, were identified as Bimla Devi and Kamla Rani both from Bathinda, Renu Bhateri (Hisar), Parkash Devi (Fatehabad) and Mukhtiyar Kaur (Sirsa).
The injured have been hospitalised, police said.
A Dera source had earlier claimed that the stampede took place when a small platform erected inside the premises to give away gifts to devotees had collapsed.
However, a spokesman of the Dera, Pawan Insaan denied this, saying, “When the devotees were moving out of the area after the function was over, someone spread the rumour about presence of a snake following which people started running helter—skelter resulting in the stampede. No gifts were distributed.”