Tirupati stampede: CM Chandrababu Naidu announces judicial inquiry; 2 officials suspended

NEW DELHI: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday announced a judicial inquiry into the Tirupati temple stampede which claimed six lives. The CM also took action against the officials by suspending "two officials who failed to ensure smooth operations".

"I could see some loopholes in the monitoring system in Tirupati," CM Naidu said in a press conference late evening after visiting the stampede site and meeting injured in the hospital.

"Two officials who failed to ensure smooth operations are being suspended. Tirupati SP, joint executive officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and another official are transferred," he added.

The Andhra CM added that he was 'pained' by the incident and announced Rs 25 lakh to kin of victims who died.

"33 people were injured. They will be given Rs 2 lakh financial aid," he added.

Six devotees died and nearly 40 more were injured in the stampede as hundreds of them jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills.

Hundreds of devotees turned up from across the country for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam commencing from January 10.

CM Naidu visited the accident site in the morning. Accompanied by several ministers, TTD officials and others, the CM inspected the makeshift arrangements made to handle the multitudes of crowds arriving for the pilgrimage.

He also visited the injured undergoing treatment in a hospital.