Tirupattur (TN): At least four women were killed and 10 others suffered injuries in a stampede at a token distribution event in Tamil Nadu's Tirupattur district on Saturday. The event was organised by businessman and social activist Ayyappan to provide free saree and dhoti on the occasion of the Thaipusam festival.
As per the initial inputs, around 500 women had gathered in Vaniyambadi area of Tirupattur district to receive the sarees. As the people thronged to receive the tokens for it, a stampede was triggered in which at least four women were killed. Around a dozen injured were referred to Vaniyambadi Government Hospital for treatment. Police and district administration officials soon rushed to the spot.
Incidents of stampedes during religious functions or events in which freebies are distributed have been reported in the past as well. Last year, eight people had died in a stampede that took place during Vagai river festival in Madurai. In another southern state of Andhra Pradesh, as many as 11 people died in two stampedes that happened days apart in December 2022 and January 2023.
In the first incident, eight people died and many were injured during a roadshow held in Nellore district by Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu on December 28. Three days later on January 1, three women lost their lives and at least 18 were left injured during the distribution of freebies in Guntur by the TDP.
Following the tragic events, Andhra Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy had blamed Naidu and his party for the casualties. He had accused the TDP chief of "publicity mania" and said the same caused the tragedies.
