Daijiworld Media Network - Chamarajanagar (SP)

Chamarajanagar, Dec 15: It is gathered that the tragic incident in which 11 persons died and over 80 took ill and hospitalized after partaking Prasadam in the form of tomato bhath distributed on Friday at Sulvadi Kichchugutti Maramma temple in Hanur taluk, happened on account of enmity and jealousy between two groups in the village. One of the groups had reportedly mixed insecticide in the food, causing this catastrophe.

All the devotees who either suffered or died complained of severe breathing problems within sometime after consuming the Prasadam. Over 60 crows which consumed the food that had scattered around also lost their lives.

Relating to the incident, locals, Chinnappi and Madesh, have been taken by the police into custody. It is said that the two had fought with each other two days back over the land on which the temple stands.

District in-charge minister, Puttaranga Shetty, who rushed to the district and visited various hospitals in Kamagere, Kollegal and Mysuru where the patients have been admitted, said that strict action would be taken against the culprits involved.

Chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, has announced payment of ex gratia of five lac rupees to the next of kin in respect of deceased in the case, while the entire medical expenses of the hospitalized people would be borne by the government. Under the instructions of the chief minister, health department officials of Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar districts have been advised to see that whatever help is needed by the victims of this incident is provided to the patients without fail.