Stampede at Chiranjeevi's road show, 2 killed

Even as film star-turned-politician Chiranjeevi's Praja Ankitam Yatra evoked tremendous response in Rayala Seema region as people flooded the roads and streets to see and hear him, stampede marred his road show in Dharmavaram on Monday killing two and injuring two others.

Police said the incident occurred as people pushed and jostled, and fell over each other to get closer to the star's vehicle. Private security guards and the star's fans, who formed the security ring around the vehicle, tried to keep the situation under control but couldn't save the two persons from being trampled.

The victims were identified as 30-year-old Aadi and 35-year-old Tajuddin. Two others were injured. One of them was hit by a vehicle in the convoy.

An estimated 20,000 people turned out to see Chiranjeevi in action as the star continued to address a series of meetings in Anantapur district for the second day. On the third leg of his state-wide tour, Chiranjeevi started his tour of Rayala Seema region from the southern-most Anantapur district.

Addressing road side meetings, Chiranjeevi alleged that the Congress government had failed to solve the problems of the farmers and improve the situation in the agriculture sector.

He criticised the government for not ensuring the supply of seeds and fertilizer leading to the failure of the groundnut crop in the district.

The enthusiastic response to Chiranjeevi brought cheer to his camp as Rayala Seema, the home region of both Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, was seen as the weakest link in the chain for the film star.

It was thought that while the situation in coastal Andhra could be favourable to Chiranjeevi, he will find the going tough in Rayala Seema region.

However, state Agriculture Minister Raghuveera Reddy dismissed the turnout of the people as the fans of a film star who wanted to see Chiranjeevi not a political leader.

"Chiranjeevi is a popular film star and it is natural for the people to turnout in large numbers to see him," Raghuveera Reddy said.

Chiranjeevi has already visited parts of coastal Andhra and Telangana regions and visiting Rayala Seema for the first time.

Chiranjeevi said Rayala Seema was 'Ratnala Seema' or the land of diamonds but politicians and factionists had destroyed it by promoting violence and killings over the decades.

"Putting an end to the culture of violence and bombs will be the top priority of Praja Rajyam on coming to power," he said.

RELIEF ANNOUNCED: Chiranjeevi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh each to the families of the two persons who were killed in stampede at the road show.

Chiranjeevi announced the gesture in Anantapur on Monday evening. Chiranjeevi told a meeting that he would extend every possible help to the families and take care of them. At the same time he also appealed to his supporters and fans to maintain discipline and not to endanger their lives by jostling and pushing each other.

He expressed his shock and sadness over the accident and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.