Devotees at the Amaravati temple accuse the police of lapses

Guntur: The devotees at the Amaravati temple expressed displeasure over the tragic incident in which one person died and four others were injured in the stampede-like situation at Amaravati in Guntur district on Tuesday. The injured were run over by the chariot of the Amareswara Kalyana Utsava idol while they were pulling its ropes. They lost control over it, explained Amaravati circle inspector Hanumantha Rao.

Mr Rao confirmed that K. Murali, 25, of Balusupadu village in Pedakurapadu mandal in Guntur district died in the hospital. On the other hand, the devotees and locals blamed the police for allowing recording dances near the temple which led to deviation of concentration of the rope pullers of the chariot. But, the police officials claimed that they did not allow such kind of things in the holy city of Amaravati. Mr Rao stated that six lady dancers and five male dancers, along with their coordinator surrendered to the police in the early hours of the day. He said that they did not allow any recording dances at Amaravati.