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A Deepavali celebration in Puttur, attended by CM Siddaramaiah, turned chaotic as 12 people, primarily women, fell ill due to dehydration, heat, and overcrowding. Organizers planned to distribute free household items to a large crowd. Security protocols prevented water bottles from entering the venue, exacerbating the situation. Most attendees were treated and discharged.
MANGALURU: Chaos erupted during a public Deepavali function attended by CM Siddaramaiah in Puttur on Monday, leaving 12 persons - mostly women - unwell. Those who fell ill were rushed to hospital.
The incident happened after the CM left the venue around 3.45pm. At the 13th 'Ashoka-Janamana' Deepavali celebration at Kombettu Taluk Stadium, organisers from Rai Estates Educational and Charitable Trust were scheduled to distribute household utensils & towels to around one lakh people for free. Keen to lay their hands on the goodies, many had gathered at the venue, leading to overcrowding. tnnWater bottles not allowed inside venueAccording to sources, no water bottles were allowed inside the venue owing to the security protocol over the CM's presence.
Lack of hydration, coupled with heat and overcrowding, made many -- including children -- feel suffocated, eyewitnesses said.Confirming that those who fell ill were mostly dehydrated, police said three women were administered IV fluid, while the rest were treated in the outpatient section before being discharged.Puttur Taluk hospital in-charge Dr Yaduraj said dehydration, combined with a delay in serving lunch, could have led to the situation.
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