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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has suspended and transferred officials in the aftermath of the stampede at Tirumala that claimed six lives and left many injured. The decision came following a detailed review meeting where the Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the situation.
The suspended officials include Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ramanakumar and Goshaala Director Harinath Reddy. Tirupati Superintendent of Police (SP) L Subbarayudu and Joint Commissioner Gouthami have also been transferred. Naidu criticised the lapses in coordination between the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board and the civil administration, calling for greater accountability.
The Chief Minister also addressed reports suggesting that miscommunication led to the opening of temple gates, causing a rush of devotees that turned fatal. He described the actions of the DSP as “wrong” and criticised the lack of preparedness and oversight from senior officials.
“This is not the time for me to step in every time. Officials must take their jobs seriously,” Naidu said during the meeting, which lasted over 40 minutes.
Naidu extended his condolences to the families of the victims, announcing Rs 25 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh for the seriously injured, and Rs 2 lakh for others who were hurt. He also assured jobs for the families of the deceased and launched a judicial inquiry into the incident.
To prevent such tragedies in the future, Naidu directed officials to improve crowd management systems using technology such as Aadhaar cross-referencing and AI. He emphasised maintaining the sanctity of the temple and ensuring better coordination between the TTD and civil administration.
During the meeting, Naidu assured devotees of immediate reforms to restore the sanctity of Tirumala. “I will ensure this holy place becomes sacred again. VIPs must also visit the deity as common devotees. This will improve the overall experience for all worshippers and reinforce the sanctity of the temple,” he said.
