Ayyappa devotee from city dies at Sabarimala

By Our Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA, OCT. 18. Ashok Reddy, a Ayyappa devotee (47) from Hyderabad, died following a heart attack at Sabarimala as the State Government has failed to provide basic medical facilities at the holy hillock and Pampa where the Ayyappa temple was opened for monthly poojas on October 16.

Ashok Reddy, along with a 30-member group of devotees from Andhra Pradesh with the Telugu cine actor, Saratbabu, had reached Sabarimala at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday. Reddy who complained of chest pain when he reached the lower Thirumuttom of the temple was rushed to the Sannidhanam Government Hospital, and from there he was carried in a stretcher to the Pampa Government Hospital by Ayyappa Seva Sangham volunteers.

Saratbabu and the Kannada film actor, Saikumar, along with their group members were found running from pillar to post seeking medical aid for their fellow pilgrim but to no avail. Saratbabu even had an altercation with the Travancore Devaswom Board Executive Officer, Mr. Goda Varma, over the temple authority's `negligence' in providing first-aid.

Reddy was later shifted to the Pathanamthitta General Hospital where doctors confirmed his death. Saratbabu criticised the callous attitude on the part of the authorities concerned in ensuring medical facilities at the pilgrim centre.

Meanwhile, the District Medical Officer, Dr. E.J. Kunjamma, said the department had opened hospitals at Pampa and the Sannidhanam only on October 17.

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Section  : Southern States
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