DE Online Desk:
Six people have died in a stampede in Tirupati, India, at a distribution centre for tokens for Vaikuntha Dwara Sarvadarshanam – a special ‘darshan’ for devotees for a period of 10 days, starting Friday.
A rush of Hindu devotees attempting to receive tokens started the stampede, injuring 16 people along with the 6 deaths, says NDTV.
Visuals showed heavy police presence in the area and several people being shifted to ambulances. Witnesses said as many as 60 people fell on each other while collecting tokens at the counter. The massive rush led to the stampede. Some devotees alleged that there was negligence on the part of the police.
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Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board chairperson, BR Naidu, ruled out any conspiracy and said it was an accident. “I had suspected something could go wrong and warned officials not to take it easy. There were rumours spread that not everyone may be allowed in Tirumala,” Reddy said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu have condoled the deaths.
“Pained by the stampede in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. The AP Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” the Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying.
