New Delhi, Feb 8: A tragic accident at the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Faridabad on Saturday claimed the life of Inspector Jagdish Prasad and injured 12 others when the giant “Tsunami” swing carrying about 19 people suddenly collapsed.
Inspector Prasad, who joined the Haryana Armed Police in 1989 and was due to retire in March, was on duty at the fair and died attempting to rescue those trapped under the swing.
He was cremated with state honours at his native village Dengar, Uttar Pradesh, with hundreds attending. The Haryana government announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for a family member, declaring him a martyr.
Two individuals were arrested in connection with the incident: Mohammad Shakir, proprietor of Himachal Fun Care, which operated the swing, and Nitesh from Meerut, who worked under him. Authorities are investigating the involvement of others.
Among the injured were female ASI Neelam, constable Sharmila, SPO Rajesh, and several civilians. Five have been discharged from hospitals so far.
The opposition parties blamed the Haryana government for negligence, highlighting lax security, administrative lapses, and alleged fake certification of the ride.
Leaders from AAP, Congress, and INLD criticized the government for attempting a cover-up and called for accountability.
AAP leader Anurag Dhanda questioned the administration’s reliance on God’s will to justify the accident, while Congress leader Deepender Hooda emphasized that safety protocols were the state’s responsibility.
Despite the tragedy, the fair continued on Sunday, with attendance surging to over 2.25 lakh visitors, compared to around 50,000 on Saturday.
Extra gates were opened to manage the massive crowd. Authorities confirmed that all other cultural, craft, food, and entertainment events within the fair remain safe, though the swing area remains closed pending investigation.
This marks the third swing-related accident at Surajkund, following a death in 2002 and an injury in 2019, raising questions about recurring safety lapses despite strict rules requiring daily inspections for rides.
The mela, running from January 31 to February 15, continues to attract massive crowds, focusing this year on the vision of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat.. (PTI)
