Kadapa, AP, Feb 25 (UNI) Three devotees were trampled to death by a herd of elephants and two were injured at Y Kota village in Obulavaripalli mandal in Annamayya district in the wee hours on Tuesday when they were going to the famous Shiva temple, located at Kona village.

Police said that about 30 devotees, belonging to the Kannegunta colony at Y-Koda village, were going to the famous Siddeswara Swamy temple to worship Lord Shiva on Maha Shivaratri day.

When they were going through the forest area, a herd of elephants attacked them and trampled them to death in the wee hours on Tuesday. Two devotees suffered injuries in the incident, and they were admitted to the GGH in Railway Kodur, where their condition was said to be critical.

The deceased were identified as Vankayala Dinesh, Tupakula Manemma, and Changal Rayudu. The police rushed to the forest area and shifted the bodies and injured to the GGH in Railway Koduru.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and grief over the death of three devotees. He spoke to the officials of the Annamayya district and directed them to provide better treatment to the injured. He assured them of extending all help to the bereaved families.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Forest K Pawan Kalyan announced Rs 10 lakh ex gratia to the families of the bereaved and Rs 5 lakh to the injured.
He directed the Railway Kodur MLA Sridhar, to rush to the Y Kota village to provide the required help to the stranded devotees.
The Deputy Chief Minister also ordered the forest officials to submit a report on the incident.
UNI DP ARN