Tirupati Stampede: Naidu Reprimands TTD EO, Collector
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2025-01-09 10:55 GMT
Tirupati: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reprimanded TTD Executive Officer (EO) Shyamala Rao, Tirupati Collector S. Venkateswar Rao, and other officials on Thursday during his inspection of the site where the stampede had occurred. He asked the officials to explain why the incident took place.
"What were the TTD officials doing when there was a heavy influx of devotees?" Naidu questioned.
"Don't you know that tickets should be distributed only after assessing the number of devotees? Do you not remember your duties as JEO?" Naidu asked TTD Joint Executive Officer (JEO) Gauthami.
"How could you allow 2,500 devotees when there was only space for 2,000?" Naidu continued, addressing the EO. "What instructions were given to the administration when you deputed an officer?"
The EO responded, "There was no congestion, and the devotees were sitting peacefully. The stampede occurred when they were released in an uncontrolled manner."
Naidu pressed the EO further, "This is a new place. You should have established some dos and don’ts. Where did you apply them?"
"When you deputed an officer, you should have briefed them on all these instructions," Naidu added. The EO responded, "Yes, sir, I told them."
"Hand over a written copy of the instructions if you have one," Naidu demanded.
The Chief Minister also instructed the officials to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Ministers Satyaprasad, Anita, Anam Ramnarayan Reddy, and Nimmala Ramanaidu were present at the scene.