India, Aug. 18 -- Eyewitnesses and relatives of victims of the Lakhisarai stampede at Ashokdham temple have alleged serious lapses in crowd management and security arrangements, claiming that the local administration and temple management failed to adequately prepare despite expectations of a large gathering on the third Monday of Shravan.

Several witnesses said devotees had been queuing for hours through bamboo barricades, with multiple lines converging near the temple. They alleged that inadequate crowd control and overcrowding led to the barricades breaking, triggering a rush in which devotees fell and were crushed.

Vinod Kumar, who had travelled from Mokama to the temple, said around 100 people were allegedly trying to force their w...