Puttur, Karnataka: At least 10 people, mainly women, fell ill due to dehydration and hypoglycemia during an event attended by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Puttur, Dakshina Kannada district, on Monday. The incident occurred at the 'Ashoka Janamana Twenty Twenty-Five', a Deepavali celebration organized by the Rai Estates Educational and Charitable Trust, led by Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, at the Kombettu Taluk Stadium.
According to the Dakshina Kannada district police, the incident was caused by delays in providing food and gifts to the attendees, leading to hypoglycemia and dehydration. A Congress worker stated that a large crowd of around 40,000 to 50,000 people gathered at the event, causing congestion and delays in providing food and water. Locals reported that the stadium was overcrowded, exceeding its capacity of approximately 20,000 people, with an estimated one lakh people attending. The combination of heat, poor ventilation, and lack of drinking water contributed to the attendees collapsing.
Three women received intravenous fluids, while seven others were treated as outpatients and discharged. The individuals admitted to Puttur Taluk Government Hospital included Yogita (20), Sabha Madavu (20), Amina Patrakodi (56), Netravati Irde (37), Lilavati Kadaba (50), Vasanti Balnad (53), Kusuma (62), Ratnavati Perigeri (67), Afila Patrakodi (20), Snehaprabha (41), and Jasila (30).
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had inaugurated the event earlier in the day but had already left the venue when the incidents occurred. The event aimed to distribute clothes, utensils, and Diwali gifts to the constituency's residents.
Sources within the police department indicated that the stadium could not accommodate the large number of people who had gathered. The program commenced late and concluded around 4 pm when lunch was served. A police source mentioned that people stormed the area where lunch and gifts were being served, leading to a stampede-like situation.
Organizers expressed regret over the incident and assured that such lapses would be avoided in future programs. Health officials confirmed that all those affected are now in stable condition. Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV had imposed a 'no-fly' and 'no-drone' zone within 500 meters of the stadium in light of the Chief Minister's visit.
