NEW DELHI: Three people, including a man, woman, and child, were injured after a sudden duststorm caused chaos at a religious gathering in Rajasthan’s Churu district. The event, a ‘Katha’ ceremony led by Pandit Pradeep Mishra, was being held without official permission from local authorities.
The gathering drew a crowd of around 15,000, but turned disorderly when strong winds and duststorm conditions swept through the area. The injured individuals sustained minor injuries, prompting authorities to evacuate the venue to prevent further harm.
According to Ratangarh Circle Officer Anil Kumar, no authorization had been granted for the event. Despite prior warnings and inspection visits by the district collector and superintendent of police on Wednesday and Thursday, the organisers failed to implement necessary safety protocols.
Sub-divisional Officer Ram Kumar reported that a loudspeaker pole collapsed onto overhead electrical lines, resulting in a power outage. “The situation could have easily turned fatal,” he said.
Officials confirmed that legal action will be taken against the organisers for disregarding safety regulations and conducting the event without clearance.
