Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has taken swift action in response to the stampede that occurred during the issuance of Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tokens in Tirupati. The incident, which left several injured and claimed lives, prompted the Chief Minister to announce the suspension of key officials and the launch of a judicial inquiry into the mishap.
During a press briefing at the TTD office, Chandrababu Naidu confirmed that Tirupati SP Subbarayudu, Joint Commissioner Gauthami, and TTD Chief Security Officer Sridhar have been transferred, while DSP Ramana Kumar and Goshala Director Harinath Reddy have been suspended. He assured that those responsible for the tragedy would be held accountable.
ALSO READ: Veteran Singer P. Jayachandran Passes Away at 80
Chandrababu announced Rs 25 lakh ex gratia for the families of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh compensation for the critically injured victims Thimmakka and Eeshwaramma, and Rs 2 lakh each for 33 others who sustained injuries. He further stated that a contract job would be provided to one member from each bereaved family.
The Chief Minister expressed deep anguish over the incident, describing it as a tragedy that should never happen in a sacred place like Tirumala. He stated that a judicial inquiry would be conducted to uncover the lapses that led to the mishap.
Chandrababu also directed the authorities to provide special Vaikunta Dwara Darshan for 35 devotees on Friday as a gesture to reassure devotees. He emphasized that preserving the sanctity of Tirumala is the government’s top priority.
ALSO READ: Pawan Kalyan Visits Tirupati After Stampede, Calls for Accountability
“We must ensure such incidents do not recur. Devotees from across the country have faith in Tirumala, and it is our duty to uphold that faith,” he said. He added that key measures have been suggested to improve crowd management and safety protocols, and these will be discussed with the TTD Board for immediate implementation.
Addressing concerns over the handling of the incident, Chandrababu noted that the failure of officials to prevent the stampede points to negligence. He assured that all lapses would be thoroughly investigated, and those found guilty would face strict action.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited the victims and offered an apology to the people of the state for the unfortunate incident. Pawan criticized the lack of accountability among officials, calling for better crowd management strategies and responsibility from the TTD administration.
“The negligence that led to this incident is unacceptable. Steps must be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future,” Pawan Kalyan said.