3 killed in stampede during blanket distribution

At least three people were killed and eight others severely injured in a stampede at a blanket distribution programme in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district. The stampede broke out as people rushed to the stage in an effort to collect blankets after the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP left the venue. Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress has put the blame on Adhikari, stating the incident occurred due to "chaos created by" him who described the deaths and injuries as “unfortunate.” According to Asansol Mayor Bidhan Upadhyay, around 5,000 people were present at the programme. “Three people were killed and five others were injured in the stampede. The injured people were hospitalised," a senior official of Asansol said.