Monday, April 22, 2019

Seven killed in stampede at Trichy temple, priest arrested

Vincent.Arockiaraj@timesgroup.com

Trichy:22/04/2019

Four women were among seven people killed in a stampede at a private temple near Thuraiyur in Trichy on Sunday. Twelve people who were injured have been admitted to the government hospital in Thuraiyur.

The incident occurred when devotees rushed to enter a narrow passage leading to the Muthaiyampalayam Karuppusamy temple. Police have registered a case and arrested the priest who was conducting the ‘Padi Kasu’ ritual (distribution of coins to devotees) in view of Chitra Pournami (full moon).

On the second day of the festival, the priest usually distributes coins from the hundi. Devotees believe they will become wealthy if they keep the coins at home. On hearing that the priest had begun distributing the coins, devotees rushed towards the narrow entry passage. In the melee, some of them fell down and were trampled upon by others, police said.

Trichy temple stampede: Cops check for lapses in security

Trichy superintendent of police Zia-ul-Haq along with Thuraiyur police rushed to the spot and sent the injured to the Thuraiyur hospital.

T Dhanapal, 54, priest of the temple and native of Mannachanallur in Trichy, was booked under Section 174 CrPC altered to 304(II) IPC and arrested.

Further investigations are on, police said. After inspecting the spot, collector S Sivarasu said the temple was run by an individual.

Police were investigating if there were any lapses in the security arrangements.

The deceased have been identified as R Lakshmikanthan, 60, of Nanniyur Manmangalam in Karur, K Rajavel, 55, of Thittakudi in Cuddalore district, S Kandhayi, 38, a native of Thirumanur in Salem district, Ramar, 50, of Veppanthattai in Perambalur district, A Shanthi, 50, of Senthamangalam in Namakkal, R Valli, 35, of Villupuram district and V Poongavanam, 50, of Cuddalore district.

Police officers have identified the injured people as P Vinitha, 18, Villupuram, V Balachandran, Athur, A Jothi, 32, Viluppuram, P Raman, Salem, P Valarmathi, 60, Ulunthurpettai, P Sarasu, Salem, K Periyasamy, Cuddalore, R Chellammal, Namakkal, K Chinnapillai, 70, of Viluppuram district, M Tamilarasi, Salem, P Latha, Trichy and K Usha of Villupuram.

Among them, Usha was referred to a private hospital in Trichy and Chinnapillai was sent to the government hospital in Trichy.

T Dhanapal, 54, priest of the temple and native of Mannachanallur in Trichy, was booked under Section 174 CrPC altered to 304(II) IPC and arrested

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