Did govt hype on Rajahmundry lead to stampede?

Rajahmundry, July 14: The State government’s media hype is said to be one of the reasons for the stampede during Pushkaralu in Rajahmundry, according to media reports. Though pushkar ghats are located at various other towns, the government highlighted Rajahmundry. VIP ghat was set up in Rajahmundry and even cultural activities were planned in the city. For the past few days, media and government highlighted the arrangements at Rajahmundry and even Chandrababau inspected the city several times. Due to the government’s hype and other reasons, the devotees thronged to the town. The police and revenue officials were busy in arrangements in VIP ghat and crowd management was neglected. According to devotees, gates were opened after the CM performed rituals and this led to stampede. Ambulances were not deployed near the ghats and even drinking water facility was not provided at health camps set up at the ghats. The devotees alleged that officials failed to shift the injured to the hospital in time.