Patna, Oct. 11: Ravan Vadh celebrations ended much before time today under enhanced security, as the administration seemed to have learnt from past mistakes.
The programme was scheduled to start at 4.30pm and end at 6pm but got over by 5pm. A stampede during the Ravan Vadh event in 2014 (October 3) had led to 33 deaths.
Sources in the administration said there were clear instructions from chief minister Nitish Kumar to wrap it up before sunset to avoid any incident arising out of poor visibility. Besides, the district administration had made proper arrangements for lighting, installing high voltage halogen lights inside and outside the ground.
In fact, while briefing the magistrates and police jawans, Bihar director-general of police (DGP) P.K. Thakur had categorically mentioned the stampede incident of 2013 and asked officials concerned to be on their toes.
"Orders had come from the top to wrap up the programme before sunset," an additional district magistrate (ADM)-level officer deputed at Gandhi Maidan said on condition of anonymity
"Accordingly the organisers were told to cut down on the Ram-Laxman procession. Adequate arrangements were made and over 2000 policemen deployed apart from National Cadet Corps (NCC) volunteers."
The decision eventually paid dividends and the administration and police sighed in relief as the function got over peacefully.
Looking at the crowd, magistrates deputed at different entrance gates at Gandhi Maidan estimated that over 2 lakh people had gathered to witness the Ravan Vadh event.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar legislative Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bihar legislative council chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh reached the venue sharp at 4pm. Around 4.15pm, Nitish and other dignitaries lit the inaugural lamp and within half an hour effigies of Ravan, his brother Kumbhkaran and son Meghnath were reduced to ashes, aided by the crackers fitted to the structures.
Earlier, the chief minister and other guests met two people dressed as Ram and Laxman.
Residents had gathered at Gandhi Maidan from far-off places to enjoy the Ravan Vadh event. Roads leading to the ground were packed and vehicular movement was restricted from 12.30pm to the time crowds dispersed from the ground.
People were allowed inside the ground after proper frisking and doorframe metal detectors were in place at every gate. Chants of Jai Sri Ram rent the air when the effigies were torched.
"I enjoyed seeing the crackers go off," said Akhilesh Kumar, a resident of Danapur, who is a regular during Ravan Vadh. "I have come here every year without fail. The best part is you do not feel tired even after walking over 10km to reach Gandhi Maidan."
Once the Ravan Vadh celebration was over, the crowd dispersed very quickly. In fact, many began leaving the ground much before the last effigy was burnt completely.
Patna district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal expressed his happiness over peaceful conclusion of the show and gave credit to all officials deputed for Ravan Vadh.
Kamal Nopani, president of the Sri Dussehra Committee Trust that has been organising Vijaya Dashami celebrations at Gandhi Maidan for the past 60 years, echoed the same. He said the district administration made unprecedented arrangements to make the show a success.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad posted Dussehra greetings to all on his Twitter handle.
He called Vijaya Dashami as the victory of good over evil.
