Lucknow:

The three-member judicial commission set up by the Uttar Pradesh government to find the reasons behind the Maha Kumbh stampede has a month to wrap up its probe but will try to expedite it, panel head Harsh Kumar said on Thursday.

Harsh Kumar, a retired judge, also told PTI that the commission members would soon visit Prayagraj.

Harsh Kumar and panel members ex-Director General of Police (DGP) VK Gupta and retired IAS officer DK Singh reached the office assigned to them here and began their work on Thursday, an official statement said.

“We have taken charge within hours of the announcement as the probe has to be taken up on priority,” Mr Kumar told PTI.

Asked about the timeline for the probe, he said, “We have a one-month timeline but all the same, we will try to expedite it.” He said the commission members will soon visit Prayagraj. However, he did not say when they would visit.

Asked if the three members will be probing separate aspects, Mr Kumar said, “We will discuss this amongst ourselves. Can’t go into detail right now.” At least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in the pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday as millions of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.

According to police, the incident took place as the crowd jumped barricades, crushing those waiting on the other side.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prayagraj:

On the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, more than 57.1 million devotees took a holy dip in the Triveni waters today, said an official statement from Uttar Pradesh Information Department.

The ongoing religious event has witnessed an overwhelming show of faith, with millions gathering at the Triveni Sangam to mark this auspicious day of spiritual cleansing and devotion.

The number of Kalpwasis, who observe month-long spiritual austerities, exceeded 1 million, adding to the spiritual fervor.

The total footfall for the ongoing Magh Mela has now surpassed 199.4 million, even as a stampede-like situation briefly occurred due to the overwhelming rush at key bathing ghats.

Earlier in the day, Members of Akhara’s gathered in small numbers at Triveni Sangam to take an ‘Amrit Snan’ on the occasion of ‘Mauni Amavasya.

Digambar Naga Baba Chidanand Puri of Panchayati Niranjani Akhara speaking to ANI after taking ‘Amrit snan’ said that after today’s stampede-like situation in Maha Kumbh people from Niranjani Akhara are coming in small numbers to take a holy dip.

“Due to an unexpected event today, our (Akharas) shobha yatra could not be taken out. We are now coming to take a holy dip in small numbers,” Digambar Naga Baba said.

This comes after a stampede-like situation arose at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday, resulting in several injuries. This incident occurred as millions of devotees gathered at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, which is also the day of the Second Shahi Snan.

Following the incident, heavy security has been deployed at the Triveni Sangam as police pave the way for Akharas and saints for their Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

According to the Uttar Pradesh government, 36.1 million devotees had taken the holy dip at Triveni by 10 AM on Wednesday. Other key bathing dates during the Mahakumbh include February 3 (Basant Panchami), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)