Temple Stampede: Quick response by AP Govt.

The tragic stampede incident at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga town, Palasa Mandal of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday has left nine devotees dead and many others severely injured. Though this temple does not fall under the Endowments Department of Andhra Pradesh, which manages all affairs relating to temples across the state, the NDA government led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu quickly swung into action and assured immediate financial assistance to the victims. 

Within no time, the government has reached out to the families of deceased and ensured that the compensation has been paid without any delay. The government has announced 15 lakhs each to the deceased and 3 lakhs to those who got injured due to the mishap. On Sunday, the compensation was handed over by the government through Srikakulam MP Ram Mohan Naidu and state Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu. Both local leaders met the families of victims and promised all support on behalf of the government. 

On Saturday evening, IT Minister Nara Lokesh visited the temple and met the families who suffered the loss of their kith and kin and also called on the victims who were getting medical treatment. The government has called for a detailed probe into the mishap and directed the police department to take stringent action against the temple owner. A case has already been registered and the latest reports suggest that Hari Mukund Panda has been taken into custody over charges of culpable homicide.