'Maya's composure during bee invasion prevented stampede'

Tasked by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati to probe the invasion by a swarm of bees in which she had seen a controversy, a top police official came out with a report that her composure at the rally had prevented a possible stampede.

The police, however, registered a first information report against unnamed persons to find out who had lit the fire in a beehive in the nearby Ambedkar University campus that led the insects out and could have created a stampede and chaos.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Rajiv Krishna, probing into the bee invasion incident, said prima facie it had been revealed that the bees swarmed Ramabai Ambedkar rally ground during Mayawati's address after being disturbed by smoke.

"Initially, a case under section section 435 (lighting fire to cause damage) and 285 (causing disturbance in any public place) has been lodged at Ashiyana police station," Krishna said.

He said that the opinion of experts in bee behaviour had also been taken.

He said it was a serious incident as in case of a bee attack it could have led to a stampede in which a number of people could have been killed. Likewise, if something would have happened to the people on stage then also it could have led to stampede and death, he said.

But a major incident was averted because of Mayawati's composure, he felt.

"The chief minister remained calm and composed even when the bees reached the dais. Any reaction could have created an adverse situation."

According to him, there was a possibility that the fire was lit intentionally to disturb the beehive.

The DIG Lucknow is likely to submit his report into the March 15 incident by Friday.

After the incident, BSP alleged that appearance of the bees at the rally ground was a conspiracy following which the state government ordered an inquiry.