Three women killed in stampede at Chandrababu Naidu's public meeting in Guntur
As many as three women were killed at a public meeting held at Vikas College grounds in Guntur by the Telugu Desam Party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu
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NewsTAP Bureau- Updated On:1 Jan 2023 5:35 PM GMT
GUNTUR: As many as four women were killed at a public meeting held at Vikas College grounds in Guntur by the Telugu Desam Party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu. Close on the heels of a stampede in Kandukuru of Nellore district where eight people were killed on December 28 in a stampede at his meetings, the Guntur stampede occurred. While milling crowds are attending the meetings of the TDP chief, the YSR Congress is dubbing them as smaller places and the deaths in stampede are "murders in cold blood" by the TDP.
The TDP announced well in advance that Chandranna Sankranthi Kanuka and Janata clothes would be distributed to women at the public meeting in Guntur. Thousands of women gathered at the public meeting. However, a stampede ensued soon after Naidu left after addressing the gathering. The stampede is said to have occurred during the distribution of freebies. While one woman died at the venue , two others succumbed in the Government General Hospital. Several injured persons were also admitted to the GGH.
The TDP allegedly announced that 30,000 people would be given the hampers consisting of sarees and provisions. As soon as Naidu's address was over and he had left the venue, the organisers announced that the hampers would be handed over. However, with hundreds of women surging ahead, the limited stocks of hampers were exhausted quickly, there was jostling and pushing and some women fell on the ground. They were trampled by others in the scramble.
Health Minister Vidadala rajani rushed to the GGH and began overseeing the treatment being given to the injured.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy expressed grief over the stampede in which four people were killed. In a statement, the Chief Minister said that the State Government would extend all necessary help and stand by the bereaved families. He directed the officials to ensure better medical care to all the injured
Governor Bishwabhushan Harichandan also expressed grief and offered his condolences to teh bereaved families.
While the Chief Minister announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the bereaved families, Rs.50,000 to each of the injured, Chandrababu Naidu announced Rs.5 lakh compensation to each of the bereaved families. The Vuyyur Foundation, which organised the meeting at Guntur for distribution of freebies, announced Rs.15 lakh each to the bereaved families. Guntur West TDP aspirant Kovelamudi Ravindra announced Rs.2 lakh each to the bereaved families.
