Bhubaneswar: The final day of the historic Bali Yatra in Cuttack ended on a chaotic note after a minor stampede broke out near the main stage during Bollywood singer Shreya Ghoshal’s live performance on Thursday night. At least six people were injured in the incident, officials said.
According to eyewitnesses, a massive crowd surged forward in an attempt to get closer to the stage as the popular singer began her performance. Police personnel deployed at the venue tried to control the crowd using barricades, but the overwhelming footfall led to pushing and shoving, triggering the stampede-like situation.
The injured were immediately shifted to nearby medical facilities and are reported to be out of danger.
Authorities said that while Bali Yatra draws lakhs of visitors every year, the crowd on the closing day was “unexpectedly high,” worsened by the celebrity performance.
“It is the people’s festival, and everyone wants to be part of it. But safety becomes difficult to maintain when crowds break discipline,” a senior police officer said, adding that both the administration and the public must act responsibly in high-density areas.
Officials also reiterated that despite extensive security arrangements, visitors should avoid overcrowded zones and follow police instructions to prevent such incidents.
The nearly week-long Bali Yatra concluded late Thursday night, attracting record footfall this year.
-OdishaAge
