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Vundavalli Subba Rao lash out at government
Justice Somayajulu commission, a single man committee appointed to enquire on Godavari Pushkaralu stampede that claimed 29 lives last year, conducted the enquiry at R&B guest house here on Tuesday.
Rajamahendravaram: AP Bar Council member Muppalla Subba Rao and former MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar came down heavily on the government machinery in their affidavits that were shown to the single-man commission.
Justice Somayajulu commission, a single man committee appointed to enquire on Godavari Pushkaralu stampede that claimed 29 lives last year, conducted the enquiry at R&B guest house here on Tuesday.
Two out of three complainants submitted video clippings and photographs to the commission as sought by it in the last hearing.
Justice Somayajulu asked the counsel to the State government to submit relevant documents and postponed the next hearing to Thursday.
Subba Rao questioned on why the Chief Minister took bath in Pushkar ghat, while VIP ghats were set up for VIPs to take holy dip. He also asked the government on why it has failed to shift the pilgrims to other ghats after expecting that most of the pilgrims would arrive at Pushkar ghat.
He observed that most of the people lost their lives due to lack of medical and water facility at Pushkar ghat and stampede took place when the gates were opened at once after the Chief Minister completed his holy dip. He pointed out that the stampede took place as the pilgrims were stopped outside to make way for a private television channel to shoot Chief Minister’s holy dip.
In the clippings submitted, Subba Rao showed various incidents like vehicles being stopped near Pushkar ghat, stampede scenes and rush of the pilgrims. He recalled that there were only two 104 and 108 vehicles in Pushakar ghat even though the collector was stating that they have placed nine vehicles.
Vundavalli Arun Kumar in his statement said that the most of the deaths occurred due to non-availability of plastic water pouches as the government banned plastic during Pushkaralu and added that the Chief Minister himself has used plastic during prayers in the ghat.
“After announcing that he would take action of the officials responsible for the stampede the Chief Minister felicitated the officials,” he added. He observed that the incident took place due to the tie-up between the State government and National Geographical Channel to shoot the mega event.
He has shown the clippings in which the crew of the NGC was seen shooting the event from the top of the old railway bridge. He did appeal the commission to cross examine the Chief Minister, concerned ministers and the district collector to find out the truth.
Subba Rao and Vundavalli have made it clear that there were no facilities like clear way to ambulances, oxygen facilities in case of emergency.
