42 YSR followers die of shock

As many as 42 followers and admirers of the late Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, died after hearing of his tragic demise in a copter crash. While some of them died of heart attack, others committed suicide. The politically charged East Godavari district recorded the highest number of eight deaths, including a suicide. Seven persons in the district suffered heart attacks after they learnt about YSR’s death. In Chittoor, three persons, including a woman, died of cardiac failure, while another woman is battling for life after she complained of severe chest pain. In YSR’s native Kadapa district, a 52-year-old follower, Ch Narasaraju, from Lakkireddipalle mandal, collapsed at Piler bus station as the news of his leader’s death spread in the area. In another incident, Mrs D. Deepa, 44, a housewife at Vanamala Dinne village in Punganur mandal, died as she was watching a TV channel flashing the news of YSR’s death. Six persons died of heart attack in Karimnagar while four persons suffered heart attack in Visakhapatnam, including a 22-year-old woman, Ms Adari Raju. Two persons including a woman collapsed in West Godavari district. A youth cut his neck unable to bear the news of YSR’s death. He was rushed to a private hospital in Vijayawada and his condition is said to be critical. Reports of deaths and suicides have also come in from various districts. Meanwhile, a large number of YSR admirers ran into the Nallamala jungles after knowing their beloved leader had died in a copter crash. The agriculture minister, Mr. N Raghuveera Reddy, and the local Congress leader, Mr. Mohan Reddy also went into the jungle on a tractor and reached temple at Rudrakodu. From there they entered the jungle barefoot. The former chief minister’s brother-in-law and Kadapa Mayor, Mr. P. Ravindranath Reddy, reached Rudrakodu temple on foot. But he later returned to Kurnool.