Sankranti Kanuka stampede: Vuyyuru Foundation MD Vuyyuru Srinivas Rao booked for carelessness

Guntur: Police have registered a case against Vuyyuru Srinivas Rao, MD of Vuyyuru Foundation after three women died, and 13 others were injured during a stampede in the Guntur district on January 1.

Nallapadu police on Monday registered a case against Vuyyuru Srinivas Rao under Section 304 (2) IPC. He was booked for carelessness in organizing the Sankranti Kanuka event.

Telugu Desam Party held a public meeting in Guntur on January 1 and later planned to distribute 'Sankranthi Kanuka. The incident happened during the post-meeting chaired by TDP national president N Chandra Babu Naidu. A huge crowd gathered to get their gifts which led to the stampede.

While two women died on the spot, another died while being treated at the hospital. Several people are being treated at Guntur Government General Hospital for fractures and chest injuries. Critically injured patients have been put on ventilators.

According to sources, Chandrababu Naidu had planned to present gifts for the upcoming Sankranthi festival on Sunday. TDP leaders arranged the public meeting at 2 pm but delayed it to the evening. Locals who attended the event alleged that there was no proper medical support or fire safety arranged at the venue. "The TDP has been announcing the distribution of Sankranthi kits for a few days and has also given slips to get kits. Soon after the stampede, none was given immediate medical support", said a local person who attended the event.

This is the second such stampede that happened during the TDP meeting. A similar incident happened a few days ago in Nellore, where eight persons died during Naidu's road show.

Responding to the incident, Chandrababu Naidu announced Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.