Theatre announces Rs 3 lakh compensation....

Vizianagaram, Aug 10 :-

  The management of cinema hall in Salur, Vizianagaram district, which is screening the Telugu film ‘Magadheera’ where five persons were killed and several others injured on Sunday in a stampede for tickets, has announced Rs 3 lakh compensation for the deceased.

The theatre management on Monday announced the compensation to the deceased and stated that the tragedy occurred as the enthusiastic ticket-seekers climbed the parapet wall of the booking counter for the first show.

In that melee, they caught hold of a live wire following a heavy jostling and exchange of blows and were electrocuted.

However, Vizianagaram Superintendent of Police Y Gangadhar seized the theatre for not maintaining the cinema hall properly and for not providing fire safety equipment in the theatre. Film shows in Sri Lakshmi Talkies were suspended. The Assistant Superintendent of Police also arrested the Theatre Manager Venkata Pratap. But the theatre owner is absconding from the town.

The dead were identified as Pothanapalli Apanna (20) of Marripalem, Pilli Linga Raju (18) of Medariveedhi, Kadapu Latchaiah (24) of Bobbilivalasa, Dukku Ramesh (25) of Bangaramapeta and Reddy Durga (26) of Dasariveedhi.

Senior officials, including Mr Gangadhar, visited the site.

P Rajanna Dora, local MLA, consoled the bereaved families and demanded an inquiry into the incident.

Minister for Panchayat Raj Botsa Satyanarayana on Monday expressed condolence over the death of five people in Salur cinema hall, where Magadheera, a Telugu film is being screened.

He also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 under Aapathabandu scheme for each victim. The theatre management has already announced a compensation of Rs 2.50 lakh. Five persons were killed and several others injured on Sunday in a stampede for tickets in Salur.