A pall of gloom descended on three mandals of Srikakulam District with the death of five persons in the stampede in Kotagummamam pushkar ghat at Rajahmundry on Tuesday.
Paila Pentam Naidu (65) Appala Narasamma (65) of Sarasanapplli village of Regidi mandal lost their lives due to suffocation. Tirapatamma (35) of Khasipuram vilalge, Santabommali mandal was also killed in the stempede, causing untold mistery to their family.
Middle-aged women Kottavolu Kalavati and Narasamma of Amadalavalasa mandal also died in the tragic incident. Their family members have left for Rajahmundry after hearing the shocking news.
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Many other families are also worried about Srikakulam devotees who went to Rajahmundry for holy bath. Former minister and YSR Congress General Secretary Dharmana Prasada Rao blamed N. Chandrababu Naidu Government for the stempede while asking the admnistration to be careful at least in the remaining days.
Uttrandhra Sadhu Parishad president Swami Srinivasananda alleged that the Government had concentrated on publicity instead of providing facilities to ensure hassles-free holy bath.