Andhra CM Naidu calls review meeting today after 6 people killed in Tirupati stampede

NEW dELHI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has called a review meeting on Thursday after six people were killed in the Tirupati stampede incident a day earlier, a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson said.

CM Chandrababu Naidu is also due to meet the families of the deceased later in the day. TDP National Spokesperson Prem kumar Jain stressed that the state government is taking steps to prevent Tirupati stampede-like incidents.

Kumar said, “The unfortunate incident in the Tirumala Tirupati temple claimed the lives of six devotees and injured around 40. I pray to god to give peace to the departed souls. Measures are being taken to ensure such incidents do not happen again. CM Chandrababu Naidu has also called a review meeting. He will also visit the temple in a short while and take cognisance of the situation…”

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: A stampede-like situation occurred at Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati during the distribution of Vaikunta Dwara Sarva Darshan tokens. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/vhoEYGLW2U

— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2025

He further said that people had gathered on the occasion of ‘Vaikunta Ekadashi’ and “proper arrangements had been made to accommodate the rush”. “Out of the six deceased, one woman is believed to be from Tamil Nadu and an ex-gratia will be provided to the kin of the deceased”, he said. “I want to reassure everyone that we will ensure such incidents will not happen again… Our government will provide all the necessary assistance for treatment…”, he added.

Meanwhile, the offline tokens for darshan have been made available at various distribution centres set up in Tirupati.

As many as six people lost their lives and several others were injured after a stampede broke out near Vishnu Niwasam close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of ‘darshan’ tokens. Vaikunta Dwara Darshan is scheduled to be held at the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple from January 10 to 19. It allows devotees to pass through the sacred gate to receive Lord Venkateswara’s blessings. (ANI)