Promotional Offer Leads to Chaos and Stampede-Like Situation in Kanpur

A huge rush at the shop in Anwarganj area

KANPUR: A promotional offer promising garments for just Rs 16 for 16 minutes turned into chaos at Alam Market in Kanpur’s Anwarganj area, as hundreds of people gathered outside a shop late Saturday. The sudden rush brought traffic to a standstill and later led to a stampede-like situation after police intervened to disperse the crowd, with several people reportedly injured.

An FIR has been registered at Anwarganj police station against shop owner Raish Alam and two others One of the named accused has been taken into custody for questioning. Police said that Raish celebrated his birthday on Aug 16. To mark the occasion, he promoted a special offer for his shop on social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.

According to the offer, customers could buy garments for just Rs 16 each for 16 minutes beginning at 11:59 pm on Saturday. The offer quickly spread online, drawing a large crowd to the shop during the night. Soon, the road and intersection around Alam Market were packed with people, resulting in a traffic jam.

As the crowd swelled, the shopkeeper shut the outlet, following which people allegedly began creating a ruckus. On receiving information, ACP Anwarganj Manjay Singh, along with police personnel, reached the spot and tried to clear the area.

Despite repeated appeals, the crowd allegedly refused to disperse. Police then used mild force, triggering a stampede-like situation as people ran in different directions. Several people fell over one another and were injured, while numerous slippers were left scattered at the spot.

ACP Anwarganj Manjay Singh said a large number of people had gathered after being attracted by the Rs 16-for-16-minute offer. He said the crowd was persuaded and removed from the spot, while denying that any force was used.