Dhaka: The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry on Friday asked people to receive the help of police while distributing Zakat clothes to avoid any untoward incident.

The ministry also expressed shock at the casualties in the stampede during the distribution of Zakat clothes in Mymensingh, said a PID handout.

It came to the notice of the ministry that many casualties happen in frequent accidents during the distribution of Zakat saris and lungis, it said.

Noting that casualties during the distribution of Zakat clothes is regrettable, the ministry asked for taking the assistance of local police to avoid such untoward accident, the handout said.

The ministry also asked the police administration to provide help in this regard.

At least 25 poor women and children were killed and 50 others injured in a stampede as they crowded for receiving Zakat clothes distributed by local Nurani Jarda Factory near Mymensingh municipality office on early Friday.

Kotwali Model Police officer-in-charge Quamrul Islam said the incident took place at about 5:00am when a large crowd of people, mostly women, gathered there to collect Zakat clothes being distributed by 'Nurani Jarda Factory' owned by Nurani Talukder alias Shamim, leaving 12 women dead on the spot and 61 others injured.

The injured were rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where the doctors declared 13 others dead.