State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said the temple, a private one and not under the Endowments Department, ususally witnesses a turnout of 1,500 to 2,000 devotees here every Saturday. Pics/PTI
The tragedy was worsened by the Ekadasi observance coinciding with 'Karthika Masam', drawing large crowds
According to the minister, the temple is located at an elevation on the first floor, and when the devotees were climbing, the railing broke, resulting in the people standing at a corner falling on one another
Srikakulam district superintendent of police (SP) KV Maheshwara Reddy said it is mandatory for temples (or religious institutions) to take permission from police when they are organising events, irrespective of the strength of the turnout
"It is definitely mandatory under the Public Safety Act. They can ask for any number of people. It is not that only 200 or 2,000 people. Even if 200 people come, they can inform us and we will assess the situation, based on that we will provide the bandobust," Reddy told PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who lost their lives
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