KURNOOL: A 35-year-old man died and an 11-year old girl was injured in a minor stampede that took place during Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan’s election meeting in Nandyal on Friday evening. A huge crowd estimated at about 10,000 people had turned up at the Srinivasnagar center which was barely sufficient for them. When Mr. Kalyan arrived at the venue, there was a sudden surge as people tried to get close to him.

also read: Sumalatha Ambareesh, Prakash Raj got their election symbols

According to the sources, when Pawan Kalyan was addressing the people at Srinivasa Nagar in Nandyal, a group of children climbed a speaker box at the venue. All of a sudden, the speaker stand collapsed under the weight of the children. It led to a stampede in the area and, in the ensuing melee, Siraj, a 35-year-old auto driver from Sadiq Nagar and others were trampled upon by the panicked people. Badly injured Siraj along with an 11-year-old girl Pavani was shifted to the Government General Hospital in the town where he died while undergoing medical treatment. According to police, Siraj succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment and the girl suffered a fractured leg. A five-year-old boy identified as Lokesh, who also got caught in the melee, was admitted with breathing complaint but was discharged after first aid.

also read: 13 Candidates in fray from Mangaluru Lok Sabha seat