Haridwar stampede

The death of 16 people in a stampede in Haridwar (Nov. 9) is a reflection of criminal neglect on the part of organisers and the local administration. They knew that lakhs of devotees were expected to participate in the Gayatri Mahayagya on the banks of the Ganga. Where lakhs of people gather, crowd management should be the top priority.

K.P.S. Chauhan,

New Delhi

The administration has yet again failed to manage crowds in a holy place. It surely knew that lakhs gather at holy places such as Haridwar during the months considered auspicious. The government is expected to take well-planned steps in places where there are huge gatherings of people so that man-made tragedies can be averted.

Jetling Yellosa,

Nizamabad

One is unable to understand why thousands of people congregate at a place, knowing full well that it poses a grave danger. The authorities can manage crowds to some extent. But it is virtually impossible to discipline and regulate massive crowds. It is for people to avoid getting into such situations. They should not throng a place in such large numbers.

R. Ramanathan,

Coimbatore