"State govt will stand by family members of pilgrims who lost their lives": AP minister Nara Lokesh on Tirupati stampede

Amravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], January 9 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh expressed deep sorrow over the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of several pilgrims in Tirupati and assured that the state government would stand by the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.
In a press note released immediately after the incident, Lokesh said that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) must make more vigorous arrangements to avoid the recurrence of any such untoward incidents.
The press release stated, "The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) should make more vigorous arrangements to see to it that such untoward incidents do not recur. The State Government will certainly stand by the family members of those pilgrims who lost their lives in the incident."
"I am deeply distressed at the demise of devotees in a stampede that took place in Tirupati against the backdrop of the release of tickets for Vikunta Dwara Darshanam," said the Minister for IT, Electronics and Education.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his sorrow over the demise of the individuals who lost their lives in a tragic stampede.
PM Modi stated that the state government is providing all possible assistance to the victims of the incident.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed his deep shock over the death of devotees in the stampede that took place near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati for 'darshan' tokens at Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a statement.
As many as six people lost their lives and several others were injured after a stampede broke out near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati on Wednesday evening.
The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens.
As per the statement from the office of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is closely monitoring the incident and will meet the families of the victims of the stampede on Thursday morning.
The statement reads, "It is an unfortunate event, 6 pilgrims lost their lives. So far, only one pilgrim has been identified, while the others are yet to be identified. N Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is very serious about the incident and has expressed dissatisfaction with the officials' management during a teleconference. The Chief Minister will visit the families of the deceased tomorrow at 11:45 am. CM has warned that such incidents should not be repeated and is closely monitoring updates on the issue."
Vaikunta Dwara Darshan is scheduled to be held at the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple from January 10 to 19. It allows devotees to pass through the sacred gate to receive Lord Venkateswara's blessings.
The TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) announced that offline tokens for darshan would be issued starting January 9, with nine token distribution centres set up in Tirupati.
Since Wednesday morning, devotees from several parts of the country began arriving in large numbers to collect tokens. However, by the end of the day, a heavy crowd was observed at all the centres, leading to congestion in those areas. (ANI)