'Had they informed ...': CM Naidu blames organisers for temple stampede; cites coordination lapse

NEW DELHI: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday vowed strict action against those responsible for the deadly stampede in Venkateswara Swami Temple in Kasibugga.

While addressing a gathering in Sri Sathya Sai district, CM Naidu accused the organisers of not informing the police or local authorities about the event.



“It is extremely painful that innocent people lost their lives in the stampede. I pay my respects to the deceased. A private individual constructed the Venkateswara temple at Kashi Bugga, and due to Kartika Ekadashi, a large number of devotees gathered there," Naidu said.

"Unfortunately, the organisers did not inform the police or local authorities about the event. Had they informed us, we would have provided police protection and controlled the crowd. Because of this lack of coordination, nine people lost their lives and five were injured," he added.

Naidu also said that the government is committed to ensuring that not a single life is lost and a "full-fledged inquiry" will be conducted into the probe.

"The government is committed to ensuring that not a single life is lost, but it is very unfortunate that such incidents occur during private programs. A full-fledged inquiry will be conducted, and strict action will be taken against those responsible,” he added.

Also read: Andhra temple stampede: Inquiry ordered as rush kills 9 devotees - top developments

At least nine people--eight women and a boy--were killed and many others injured in a temple stampede here in Srikakulam district.

The stampede occurred at Venkateswara temple in Kasibugga town at around 11.30 am, said Kasibugga sub-division in-charge DSP Lakshman Rao.

"Nine (deaths). Nine only, (Condition of) one person is bit serious. He is not dead. Total nine people. One child is there, a 12-year-old child; the remaining (victims) are all female. And it is a private temple. It is not a government temple. It was constructed recently,” Srikakulam Superintendent of Police KV Maheswara Reddy told PTI.

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