Cops cane devotees at Khairatabad laddu rush

Hyderabad: Chaos prevailed at the Khairatabad Ganesh pandal with an estimated 30,000 people turning up for distribution of the laddu prasadam on Friday. At one point, the queue stretched 2 km.

The distribution started at about 6 am, but the restive crowds began surging forward, following which the police caned people to hold them back.

The distribution was stopped at about 10 am as the situation threatened to go out of control and the cops asked the organisers to send prasadam to temples where it could be distributed. As police began clearing the place, the people ran in various directions and a few devotees suffered injuries.

Another protest ensued when laddu donor, Mr P. Malli Babu of Suruchi Foods, Tapesw-aram, was carrying away his share. Some people blocked the lorry carrying the laddu — said to be about 1,200 kg of the 5,600-kg laddu.

Laddu sale news creates stampede-like condition

The vehicle belonging to the laddu donor, Mr P. Malli Babu of Suruchi Foods, Tapeswaram, had to be escorted out by the police. A rumour that the donor was selling the laddu spread like wildfire, and hundreds of devotees continued to wait at the venue for a share till the evening.

Central Zone DCP V.B. Kamalasan Reddy said, “In view of the stampede like conditions due to the heavy turnout of more than 30,000 devotees at the Khairatabad Ganesh prasadam venue, the distribution was stopped and the queues dispersed. The prasadam was packed in bags and despatched to important temples in five vehicles.

Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Samiti chairman S. Sudershan said over 60 per cent of the laduu was distributed by 10 am. The rest has been packed in bags and sent to temples where it will be distributed to devotees.

Temples where the prasadam will be distributed starting from Saturday:

1. Secunderabad: Ujaini Mahankali temple
2. Ganesh temple: Secunderabad railway station
3. Akkanna Madanna temple
4. Peddamma temple, Banjara Hills