Woman dies in stampede during rush for free ration tokens, many injured

A woman was killed and several people injured in a stampede while collecting tokens for free rations distributed by a businessman. The incident took place at AKP convention hall, Bamboo Bazaar in Shivajinagar, on Wednesday.

According to the police, the deceased is Zeenathunnisa, 40, a resident of Modi Road in DJ Halli. She was living with her husband Anwar, who works in a welding shop, and three sons. Fifteen people sustained minor injuries in the incident but are out of danger.

Zeenathunnisa arrived at the convention hall at around 10 am on Wednesday. Around 2,000 people, including those from other districts and neighbouring states, had arrived at the venue.

As the gate of the hall was opened, people started rushing inside. A few of them lost balance and fell over each other. Zeenathunnisa also fell down and was found unconscious. The public informed the Shivajinagar police, who shifted her to a nearby private hospital, where she was declared brought dead. The injured were given first aid, police said.

A senior police officer said, “The doctors who examined her said that she died of heart attack. But a case of unnatural death has been registered and we are awaiting the post-mortem report. Syed Asif, a realtor and philanthropist, gives away tokens for free rations to poor people every year. Using the tokens, they can avail rations for next year's Eid (Ramzan).”