3 hurt as duststorm triggers chaos at event held sans permission in Rajasthan's Churu

NEW DELHI: Three individuals sustained injuries during a chaotic situation caused by intense winds and a duststorm at a 'Katha' ceremony in Churu, Rajasthan.
The event, conducted by Pandit Pradeep Mishra, lacked proper authorisation from district authorities and was subsequently cancelled following the incident. The gathering, which drew approximately 15,000 attendees, descended into disorder when powerful winds and a duststorm struck.
A man, woman, and child suffered minor injuries, prompting authorities to clear the venue for safety reasons. Ratangarh's Circle Officer, Anil Kumar, confirmed that official permission was not issued for the event.
The organisers had failed to implement required security measures, despite specific instructions from both the district collector and superintendent of police during their respective site visits on Wednesday and Thursday.
Sub-divisional officer Ram Kumar reported that a loudspeaker pole collapsed onto electrical lines, causing a power outage. He emphasised that the situation could have resulted in fatalities. The authorities have indicated that the organisers will face legal consequences for their actions.