Former Ministers blame Andhra Pradesh government for Kasibugga temple stampede

Former Minister and senior YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Dharmana Prasada Rao on Saturday criticised the State government over the death of nine devotees in a stampede at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga of Srikakulam district.

In a press release, Mr. Prasada Rao said the government had failed to ensure proper facilities for hassle-free darshan at temples that witnessed heavy rush on the occasion of Karthika Ekadasi. He urged YSRCP leaders to extend support to the families of the deceased and to those injured in the incident.

Former Minister Sidiri Appalaraju, a doctor, provided medical aid to the injured devotees and alleged that the government had neglected the safety of devotees at temples managed by private organisations.

In a separate statement, CPI(M) Srikakulam district secretary D. Govinda Rao also held the government responsible for the tragedy, saying the administration had taken a casual approach to crowd management. He demanded adequate compensation for the families of those who lost their lives.