Panel probing Kumbh stampede holds meet

Prayagraj: A three-member judicial commission probing the stampede at Maha Kumbh on Jan 29 arrived at the tent city on Monday and held a meeting with police and other department officials.
"The commission members talked to Mela police and other department officials. They met with the officials at the Integrated Command and Control Centre and asked a series of questions," said a senior cop preferring anonymity. He added that the members interacted with officials of various organisations and examined records.
"All the records sought by the panel members are being provided by officials. The next meeting of the commission is likely to be held after Mahashivratri, in which more documents will be made available. The members of the commission have gone back," the official added.
At least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in the pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh in the early hours of Jan 29 as millions of pilgrims had arrived to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.
Subsequently, the state govt had set up the three-member judicial commission to ascertain the sequence of events leading up to the incident. The commission is headed by retired high court judge Harsh Kumar. The other members are former Uttar Pradesh DGP V K Gupta and retired IAS officer D K Singh.