All the authorities are engrossed in serving VIPs: Premanand Puri.

A tragedy occurred at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayag Raj, Uttar Pradesh. On the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, with lakhs of devotees arriving, a stampede took place. Reports indicate that 17 people have died in the incident, and another 100 devotees are reported to have been injured. Prominent religious leader Premanand Puri strongly criticized the stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela. He accused the authorities in Prayag Raj of neglecting the safety of the devotees. "The authorities are engrossed in serving VIPs and prominent people. There are no police or officials around the common devotees. I saw every VIP person who came to the Maha Kumbh Mela. Local officials gave them special services. That’s why the stampede happened," Premanand Puri said.

Premanand Puri also suggested that if the supervision of the Maha Kumbh Mela had been handed over to the Indian Army, they would have made effective arrangements, and such incidents could have been avoided. He mentioned that the Akhadas have also expressed their wish to give the responsibility of supervision to the Indian Army. On January 29, during Mauni Amavasya, millions of devotees rushed to take the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, starting from early morning. This led to the sudden stampede. Reports indicate that around 17 people have died in the incident. Details of the incident were conveyed to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who issued instructions to provide better medical treatment to the injured. Currently, rescue operations are continuing in full swing at the Maha Kumbh Mela.

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