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Indian State Announces Quick Compensation To Kin of 10 Killed In Temple Stampede

By Howard M. Friedman

AFP reports that in the Indian state of Bihar, outside a Hindu temple in the Banka district, a stampede late Saturday killed ten and injured 15 others as thousands came to the temple to sacrifice goats for the Hindu festival of Durga Puja (also known as Navartri Puja)-- a festival honoring the mother goddess Durga.  AFP says that the stampede was caused by rumors that a portion of the temple had collapsed or that snakes had entered it. However an AP report carried by the Wall Street Journal says that the injuries were triggered by arguments among those in attendance over whose goats would be sacrificed first. Some 30,000 goats were sacrificed at the temple on Saturday. According to Sify News, the Bihar disaster management department has announced that it would pay Rs.1 lakh (around $2270 US) to each relative of those killed.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on October 18, 2010 (boomark / email).