Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Temple stampede

While mourning the victims of the terrible tragedy at the Naina Devi temple, we must learn our lessons. The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister has promised compensation to the affected families, almost immediately after the stampede occurred on Sunday. This kind of irresponsible behaviour on the part of our leaders is the cause of repeated occurrence of such horrors. First of all, most of the popular tourist and religious places in India do not have the infrastructure to deal with the number of visitors. So a catastrophe is waiting to happen. A stampede, due either to a rumour or to a real unforeseen event, is a matter of time. First, we must develop sufficient infrastructure to support a large floating population in these locations. The second is to book the people who were responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of such places. Often tragedies recur because of corrupt officials.

Atul Bhargav,

Maryland

It is no use blaming anybody for the centuries-old practice of devotees flocking to shrines on auspicious days. But they should desist from visiting such places with family and children. Where people congregate emergency exits are a must.

K.S.Thampi,

Chennai

The death of hundreds of devotees in the stampede shows the callous attitude of those connected with bandobust. Why cannot the trusts managing most religious places employ private security to maintain order during pilgrimages?

Raghubir Singh,

Pune

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