Some parents maintained that there have been incidents of boys harassing girls in the past as well.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said: 'These are just rumours. The incident took place when some girls were going up the stairs and others were coming down.'

She visited the hospital along with Health Minister Kiran Walia and Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely and met the injured girls.

Expressing regret over the tragedy, she ordered an enquiry by the deputy commissioner and promised strict action. The report will be submitted in two-three days.

The chief minister also announced compensation of Rs.100,000 each to the next of kin of those killed, and Rs.50,000 to those seriously injured.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi assembly V.K. Malhotra said: 'A proper enquiry should be conducted into the incident and the government should also look at other schools to avoid such incidents.'

Central Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal said: 'The school stampede is a tragedy. Even though it is a state system, it is completely unacceptable, it's a shame.'

Many worried parents and relatives gathered at the school during the day when the news broke.

They accused the school administration of negligence. They threw stones, shouted slogans and tried to block the road in front of the school, but police soon brought the situation under control.

No official from the school administration was available for comment.

Parents and relatives of the injured children thronged the GTB Hospital. But they were not allowed inside the hospital.

'I have the identity card of my daughter who studies in this school but the police are not letting me in. What should I do, I have not got any news about her,' said a grieving father, standing outside the hospital.