Biharsharif/Patna: At least eight women were killed in a stampede at a temple in Nalanda district on Tuesday morning, prompting Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar to announce compensation for the victims’ families and order immediate relief measures.
The incident occurred at the Maa Sheetla Temple in Maghra, near Biharsharif, where a large number of devotees had gathered for worship. Panic reportedly broke out amid the crowd, leading to a deadly crush in which several people were trampled.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, Nitish Kumar said he was “deeply pained” and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 6 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased. According to officials, Rs 4 lakh will be provided by the Disaster Management Department, while Rs 2 lakh will come from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Senior officials have been deployed to the site to oversee relief and rescue operations, while the Health Department has been placed on alert to ensure proper treatment for the injured. Those hurt in the incident have been admitted to hospitals in Biharsharif.
नालंदा स्थित माता शीतला मंदिर में भगदड़ की दुखद घटना अत्यंत ही पीड़ादायक है। इस हादसे में जान गंवाने वाले और घायल हुए सभी श्रद्धालुओं के परिवारजनों के प्रति अपनी संवेदनाएँ प्रकट करता हूँ।
सरकार द्वारा पीड़ित परिवारों को हर संभव सहायता और राहत प्रदान की जा रही है। घायलों के…
— Samrat Choudhary (@samrat4bjp) March 31, 2026
Bihar’s deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary also expressed condolences, stating that the government is committed to providing the best possible medical care and support to the victims and their families.
The speaker of the legislative assembly, Prem Kumar, mourned the loss of lives and prayed for the peace of the deceased and the recovery of the injured.
Leader of the opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav described the incident as deeply distressing and extended his sympathies to the bereaved families, while wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
