SP: Govt conspiring to shun onus for Hathras stampede

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday accused UP govt of “conspiring’ to shun responsibility for the death of devotees in Hathras stampede.
Akhilesh’s statement came in response to a media query on CM’s remarks that he suspected a ‘possible conspiracy’ in the Hathras incident.
SP chief dismissed the conspiracy theory and said reports received so far do not indicate any such thing.The only conspiracy could be that govt does not want to take the onus of the tragedy in which more than 120 people died, the former UP CM said, adding: “Govt cannot run away from its responsibility.”
“The state administration from time to time goes through the details of how to manage crowds. They mark emergency passages and make alternate arrangements accordingly. Was that done in this case?” he asked. He said the administrative officials reached the site after the stampede. “The entire administration must have been aware that more than the expected estimated crowd had gathered at the venue. Why didn’t these officials reach the venue to stop people from gathering or to put in place a crowd management mechanism?” he asked.
Akhilesh attacked govt over ‘crippling health infrastructure’ in the state. He accused the deputy chief minister (Brajesh Pathak) who also holds the charge of the health ministry, of not addressing the issues related to the health department. “When the health minister is only concerned about improving his political health then who will take care of the health department,” Akhilesh said without taking names.