TIRUPATI, JANUARY 09, 2025: The Andhra Pradesh state government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakhs each to the next of kin of the deceased in the stampede at the centres meant for the distribution of tokens for Vaikunta dwara darshan at Tirumala temple shrine.
Minister for Revenue Anagani Satya Prasad, who is in charge of Tirupati district, visited the SVIMS hospital along with his cabinet colleagues Minister for Home Vangalapudi Anitha, Minister for Endowments Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Minister for Irrigation Nimmala Rama Naidu and Minister for I&PR K Parthasarathy made the announcement on behalf of the state.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said they were probing whether the stampede was an accident or a sabotage. The failures would be identified through CCTV footage and they would not leave anyone go scot-free and take stringent action against the accused persons, she stated and added that the government would take all measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
It may be recalled that at least six devotees were killed and more than 50 persons were hospitalised following the stampede at various locations in the Tirupati temple town on Wednesday evening. The TTD has announced the opening of 94 counters in eight locations in Trupati and Tirumala for the issuance of slotted sarva darshan (SSD) for Vaikunta dwara darshan on January 10, 11 and 12, 2025. It had announced to issue 1.2 lakh tokens and the counters would be opened on Thursday (January 9, 2025) at 5 pm.
Devotees had flocked in thousands to various counters and were waiting for the opening of the queue lines. When the rush increased and the authorities did not open the queue lines, the pilgrims entered into the queue lines breaking the security cordon of the police which ensued in the stampede when the police tried to prevent their entry.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan have expressed their condolences to the bereaved family members and found fault with the authorities concerned for not taking adequate measures when everyone knows about the arrival of hordes of devotees.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed their shock and grief over the stampede incident and offered condolences to the bereaved families. The Prime Minister said that the AP government was providing all assistance to the devotees who have been affected by the stampede.
