Sat Nov 01 20:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, formatted for general readability:
Tragedy at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple: Stampede Claims Nine Lives
Kasibugga, India – November 1, 2025 – A tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, has claimed the lives of nine devotees on Saturday. The incident prompted swift responses from state and central government officials, who have pledged compensation and launched investigations into the cause.
The temple, located in Palasa mandal, witnessed an unexpectedly large crowd. Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh, who visited the injured at the Kasibugga Community Health Center (CHC) along with Home Minister V. Anitha and Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, attributed the surge in visitors to the growing popularity of the temple on social media and the introduction of a free bus scheme by the state government.
“Nine out of 10 visitors were first-timers to the temple on Saturday,” stated Lokesh, highlighting the challenge the local administration and temple management faced in anticipating the massive turnout. He further noted the absence of CCTV cameras and inadequate barricades (2.5 inches instead of 6 inches as they should be) as contributing factors. According to eyewitness accounts, as the temple’s closing time of noon approached, devotees rushed towards the entrance, resulting in a crush that led to the stampede.
The State government has announced a compensation of ₹15 lakh for the families of the deceased and will monitor the health of the injured. The Central government has also pledged ₹2 lakh in compensation per deceased. Minister Lokesh also stated that three of the victims were TDP activists, who will receive an additional insurance cover of ₹5 lakh from the party.
Hari Mukund Panda, the temple owner, along with priests and other individuals, are currently being questioned by police. Authorities are investigating the temple’s construction and adherence to safety regulations to determine if any negligence contributed to the disaster. Minister Lokesh emphasized the need for a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for crowd management at temples across the state to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
First Piper 