Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh visited the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga last night, where a stampede earlier in the day claimed nine lives and left several injured. The leaders inspected the site, met the injured at the Palasa Community Health Centre, and consoled grieving families.

 

 

 

Mr Lokesh announced an ex-gratia of 15 lakh rupees for each deceased person’s family and 3 lakh rupees for the injured from the state government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended condolences and announced 2 lakh rupees compensation from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for the injured.

 

 

 

The ministers assured full medical and financial support for all victims and directed officials to strengthen crowd management, install CCTV surveillance, and review safety arrangements at major temples. The state government has ordered a detailed inquiry into the tragedy.