Madurai Stampede: An assistance of Rs 5 lakh has been announced to the next of kin of the deceased.
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced an assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of two persons who lost their lives in a stampede on the 12th day of the annual Chithirai festival in Madurai.
Lakhs of devotees thronged the banks of Vaigai River to witness the grand entry of Lord Kalajhagar into the river from 4 am today in the 15-day event that began on April 5 at the famous Shri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.
Temple sources said the Lord, dressed in green silk robes and riding on his golden horse, entered the river after 5.30 am. The event, coinciding with Poornami, is celebrated two days after the divine marriage of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar on April 14, which is the 10th day celebration.
With the Chithirai (April-May) festival being held with the participation of devotees after a gap of two years following the coronavirus-induced lockdown, people started flocking from the early hours to take a closer look.
A man and a woman were killed and one person was seriously injured in the stampede. Around seven people who were injured were admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital in the temple town.
“Deeply saddened by the news of the tragic incident,” the chief minister said. He expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family members.
He announced an assistance of Rs.5 lakh each to the families of two persons who died, Rs.2 lakh each to the seriously injured and Rs.1 lakh each to those with simple injuries, and compensation of Rs. Ordered delivery. Relief immediately, an official release said.
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