Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur

Puttur, Oct 20: Thirteen people, including several women and elderly individuals, fell ill due to fatigue, dehydration and overcrowding during the ‘Ashoka Janamana 2025’ event held at Puttur Taluk Stadium on Monday, which was attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The event, organised by the Rai Estate Educational and Charitable Trust and chaired by Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, was part of Deepavali celebrations and included the distribution of clothes, plates, sarees, and food to the public.

The chief minister, who was scheduled to arrive at 12 noon, reached the venue an hour later, and the programme concluded by around 4 pm.

Thousands had gathered at the stadium well in advance, with many reportedly waiting for more than six hours in humid conditions. The venue, however, was unable to accommodate the crowd, resulting in a stampede-like situation near the distribution area. The delay in food and gift distribution added to the chaos, leading to suffocation, dehydration, and exhaustion among attendees.

A total of 13 people were treated at the Puttur Government Hospital. Of these, three women were administered IV fluids, while the remaining were given first aid and discharged. Hospital sources confirmed that all are out of danger, and no casualties were reported.

The women who required intravenous treatment were identified as Vasanthi (53), Fathima (20), and Nethravathi (37). Others who fell ill included Leelavathi (53), Rathnavathi (70), and several others whose names have not been released.

Attendees, particularly women with children, struggled in the muddy ground conditions, and many complained of lack of drinking water and insufficient crowd control. Several people began feeling unwell soon after the chief minister left the venue, according to local sources.

Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the incident. However, police and medical officials have confirmed the details of the crowd-related health issues.