'Breaking news' led to panic, stampede: Azam Khan

Urban Development Minister Mohammad Azam Khan, who resigned as incharge-Kumbh mela, has blamed the news channels for creating panic in the aftermath of the stampede.

"The death of two persons after falling in drain was run as breaking news by channels saying that deaths took place due to stampede in Kumbh. Due to this news, people started moving to the railway station following which pressure increased there," Khan told media persons on Monday night.

As there was no proper arrangement of announcement system at the station, confusion prevailed there, he said.

Khan further said that he was ready to resign as a minister, too, if laxity of any of the departments he is heading comes to the fore.

Cabinet Minister Mohammad Azam Khan had on Monday resigned as the in-charge of Kumbh Mela in which 36 people were killed in stampede.