'Prasad' poisoning: Toll rises to 11, police probe suspected foul play
Bengaluru, Dec 15: Police are probing suspected foul play in the death of 11 people due to food poisoning after consuming 'prasad' at a temple in Chamarajanagar district, a senior official said Saturday.
Two more people died Saturday, pushing up the toll to 11, while 93 others were hospitalised, Chamarajanagar district Superintendent of Police Dharmender Singh Meena told PTI.
Three cooks, who are undergoing treatment in a hospital, are stated to be in a critical condition, he said.
The police are investigating suspected foul play, Meena said, amid reports that a running feud between two factions in Kicchgutti Maramma temple over some issue might have led to the tragedy after the victims consumed the 'prasad' allegedly blended with poisonous substance.
As many as five people have been detained and police are interrogating them to get some leads into the incident, Meena said.
Food samples collected from the temple have been sent to a forensic lab in Mysuru.
"We have not yet received the FSL report. We are expecting it by tomorrow noon. Nevertheless, we have been investigating the tragic incident from all angles," the officer said.
"The substance in the food can only be told after receiving FSL reports," he said.
However, District Health Officer Prasad had suspected that the prasad was poisoned.
On Friday, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had announced assistance of Rs five lakh to the next to the kin of the deceased.
Kumaraswamy flew to Chamarajanagar by special plane from Belagavi, where he is attending the winter session of the state legislature.
He had directed local authorities to make all arrangements for those who took ill and said the government would bear the medical expenses.
The foundation laying ceremony of Maramma temple was organised Friday morning at the village situated along the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
'Om Shakti' devotees from adjoining villages in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu had gathered for the event, where rice "baath" was served as 'prasad' after the rituals.
After consuming the offering, people started to vomit and complained of stomach pain.
Commotion had prevailed as people hurried to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The affected people said there was a smell of kerosene oil in the prasad, but they ignored it.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
