Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Three women died while 15 others were injured in a stampede during a rush for zakat (charity on one’s wealth) at Fakirapool area in the capital Dhaka on Thursday, police said.
Three people were stampeded while collecting Zakat sharee form one Manik Mia’s residence near Baro Masjid Road of Fakirapool at about 5:30 pm, a duty officer of Motijheel police station said.
According to victims and witnesses, the distribution of zakat in the form of clothing had started in the afternoon, but it had to be suspended a while later, as a chaotic situation was created by the zakat seekers. The next session began in the evening but this time as well all the people rushed to get inside the house at a time.
To bring discipline, security guards of the house charged truncheons on the people which in fact triggered a stampede rather than calming the situation down, they added.
BBN/SSR/AD-17Aug12-1:03 am (BST)
