Gwalior, Feb 10 (NationPress) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) figure and former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister, Narottam Mishra, has conveyed his sorrow over the unfortunate event that took place during the Kalash Yatra, marking the initiation of the 10-day consecration of the newly built Navagraha Shakti Peeth temple in Dabra town, Gwalior, on Tuesday.

A woman tragically lost her life and at least six others, including a young girl, were injured during the Kalash Yatra.

The heartbreaking event transpired while the Kalash Yatra (women bearing sacred pots) was proceeding toward the temple to commence the consecration rituals of the newly erected temple.

Narottam Mishra, serving as a trustee of the temple, visited the hospital to check on the health status of the injured women.

"Ek hamari bujurg bahen ki dum ghutne se mrityu ho gayi. Ghatna dhukhad bahut hi hai" (One of our elderly sisters died due to suffocation. This is indeed a very tragic event), Mishra stated to IANS after meeting with the victims and their families at a hospital in Dabra.

Narottam Mishra, who has represented the Dabra Assembly constituency three times (1990, 1998, and 2003) before it was designated for Scheduled Castes (SCs), clarified that the incident arose from a surge of people, including women and children, who had assembled to witness the Kalash Yatra.

"Because of the crowd, a woman fell onto her young daughter. I visited the hospital to see her and met her parents. A minor girl has been injured but is on the mend. I also met with other women who were hurt during this incident," the former Minister elaborated.

He also refuted claims of a stampede, asserting that the situation stemmed from a large gathering of people.

"This is a deeply unfortunate incident that occurred today, but it is being misrepresented. Yes, there was a crowd as many wanted to witness that moment, but no stampede took place," Narottam Mishra told IANS.

A video circulating on social media depicted individuals rushing the injured to a hospital in an ambulance.

Police present to manage the crowd and ensure security at the site effectively controlled the situation, allowing the Kalash Yatra to continue smoothly along its designated path to the Navagraha Shakti Peeth Temple.

Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan, speaking to the media, mentioned that numerous women had gathered near the Dabra stadium for the Kalash Yatra in the morning hours of Tuesday.

"While distributing the Kalash (sacred pots), a scuffle ensued. A 70-year-old woman was crushed in the crowd and later succumbed to her injuries," added Gwalior Collector Chauhan.

Several others, including a three-year-old girl, were also injured and have been admitted to the hospital.

The temple's consecration process commenced on Tuesday and is scheduled to conclude with daily religious activities on February 20. During this period, various religious figures and political leaders from different parties are anticipated to visit the site.