Pushkaralu stampede: Commission concludes collecting evidence

The One-man Commission constituted to conduct inquiry into stampede that took place on the inaugural day of Godavari Pushkaralu in 2015 has concluded filing of documents pertaining to the collected evidences on Saturday. In view of the C Y Somayajulu Commission’s tenure is coming to an end on 29th January, the final hearing will be taken up later. 

The Commission sought extension from the government pending verbal arguments and in-written submissions. The One-man Commission was constituted to go into the reasons for stampede and arrangements made for Pushkaralu besides lapses in arrangements during the Pushkaram festival. 

The Commission was constituted on 15th of September, 2015 and was given six months time to complete the enquiry. Following the expiry of the Commission’s term on 29th of March last year, its tenure had been extended for three months. The Commission’s term again got extended for another three months until 29th of September. The tenure of the Commission has been extended for the third time for four months until 29th of January. The Commission has sought fresh extension from the government.

Muppala Subba Rao, an advocate appearing on behalf of victims, expressed disappointment that the government had failed to submit the concerned documents to the Commission despite being reminded by the later innumerable times. He alleged that CC footage and drone camera’s footage were missing. Further, the National Geographical Channel’s footage was tampered with before it was submitted to the Commission. It is stipulated that 72-hour back-up footage of cc cameras should be provided while installing cc cameras at public places. 

However, the stipulated norm has given a go bye, he lamented.Due to non-availability of drinking water at Pushkarghat stampede occurred, he observed. Also, the police failed miserably in controlling the crowd at Pushkarghat that is close to the railway station. He wondered as to why the Chief Minister and other VIPs were spending one and half hours at Pushkarghat rather than taking bath at VIP ghat. Even after one and half years since the stampede has occurred, no charge sheet has been filed so far, added advocate. Deliberately, the government is holding up submission of  evidences to save its skin, said Muppla Subba Rao.