Stampede-like situation at Patna's ISKCON Temple on Janmashtami

Heavy rush of devotees at the ISKCON temple in Patna on the occasion of the Janmashtami festival created a stampede-like situation on Monday evening, a police officer said, adding that no casualties were reported.

A few devotees might have suffered minor injuries, while the police brought the situation under control quickly, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajeev Mishra told the media.

Video clips that went viral on social media showed security personnel trying to control the rushing devotees at the temple. A few of them fell on the ground and they were helped by the security personnel.

"A huge number of devotees thronged the ISKCON temple on the occasion of Janmashtami festival in in the evening. An adequate number of security personnel had already been deployed there. We engaged more personnel when the situation turned chaotic as the devotees tried to outpace one another. It was a tough time for the security personnel. The situation was, however, immediately brought under control. It was not a full-blown stampede,” Mishra said.

"The situation is completely under control. Our top priority is to manage the rush of devotees first. Women security personnel have also been deployed in large numbers," the SSP added.

To a question, he said, "Some of the devotees might have suffered minor injuries."

Patna district administration also issued a statement on the incident.

"There was no stampede at the ISKCON temple. Mild force was used to check those devotees who tried to enter temple premises by breaking police barricades. The situation is completely under control."

At least seven people were killed and 16 others injured in a stampede at Baba Siddheshwar Nath Temple in Bihar's Jehanabad district earlier this month.