VHP demands disaster management teams at temples

New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Tuesday urged the government to form disaster management teams at all major temples in the country to deal with disasters.

The VHP made the demand after a stampede at the Chamunda Mata temple in Rajasthan's Jodhpur town earlier in the day left 144 people dead and over 300 injured.

'There is an immediate need to focus on administration and arrangements at temples as it not the first time such a tragedy has happened,' VHP spokesman Vinod Bansal said.

'We appeal to the union government to issue orders for formation of disaster management teams in major temples during festive season to avoid such incidents,' he said.