Daijiworld Media Network - Srikakulam
Srikakulam, Nov 1: In a tragic incident, nine devotees, including eight women and a child, lost their lives in a stampede at the newly constructed Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, on Saturday morning. The mishap occurred amid a heavy rush of devotees who had gathered to offer prayers on the occasion of Ekadashi, considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and blamed the temple authorities for not informing the police or local administration about the large-scale gathering. “Unfortunately, the organisers did not inform the police or local authorities about the event. Had they done so, adequate crowd management and police protection could have been arranged. Nine people have died and five others were injured — this is extremely distressing,” Naidu said while addressing a public event in Sri Sathya Sai district later in the day.
The Chief Minister further stated that while the government was focused on saving lives amid the ongoing cyclone situation, the negligence of some individuals led to such a devastating incident. “It is unfortunate that this happened at a private temple. If police had been informed in advance, we could have managed the crowd in queues and averted the tragedy,” he added.
The temple, popularly known as ‘Mini Tirupati’, is privately owned and not managed by the state’s Endowments Department. According to official sources, the temple authorities failed to notify local officials about the expected crowd on Ekadashi. Reports also indicate that construction work was still underway, and the shrine had only one entry and exit point, which worsened the situation.
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy slammed the Naidu government, accusing it of administrative negligence. “This repeated loss of innocent lives reflects the inefficiency of Chandrababu Naidu’s administration. Despite similar tragedies in the past, no proper safety measures were ensured,” he said.
Later, during the Peddala Sevalo program in Peddannavaripalli, Naidu observed a two-minute silence for the victims and announced that a full-fledged inquiry would be conducted into the incident. He assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the negligence.
The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the festive day, with authorities now facing growing calls for stronger regulations and safety protocols for privately managed religious institutions across the state.