By IANS,
New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday condoled the deaths of over 100 people in a stampede near Kerala’s Sabarimala temple. The prime minister has sanctioned Rs.1 lakh as compensation to the kin of the dead and Rs.50,000 for those injured.
President Patil, in letters to Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Governor R.S. Gavai, conveyed her condolences and wished speedy recovery to those injured in the tragedy Friday night at Pulumedu, a forested area about 30 km from the Sabarimala temple in Pathanamthitta district.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Achuthanandan Saturday morning to convey his grief. He also sanctioned a relief of Rs.1 lakh each to the kin of those killed and Rs.50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, PMO sources said.
At least 104 people were killed in the stampede that occurred around 8.00 p.m. Friday when the pilgrims were returning after watching the celestial Makara Jyothi light, the most important event of the three-month pilgrimage, from a hillock some 30 km from the Sabarimala temple.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony told a TV channel that his ministry has assured full support for the rescue operations.
“I have told my ministry to extend total support to the Kerala government,” Antony said.
“This is a human tragedy…usually (on) Makar Sankranti, lakhs come to the temple. No one expected something like this to happen,” he said.