NTR fan Raju's kin blame organisers for death

- Only son and breadwinner for the family - family members rue over the loss of the breadwinner G HEMANTH REDDY Warangal: Lalitha thought her brother Makkala Raju would come back with a snapshot of Junior NTR besides him at the backdrop of audio release celebrations of upcoming flick of his favourite star, Badshah. But to her rude shock, she heard with the streaming news on the channels that he died in a stampede during the cinema function held at Ramanaidu Cine Village at Nanakramguda in Hyderabad on Sunday. Eshwaramma who lost her husband a year ago, now lost her only son and bread-winner, Raju, in a freak stampede. Raju, hailing from Beerannakunta at Kareemabad area in Warangal city supports his family by collecting plastic and iron scrap and selling them at the depots, is an example of how unmindful of his meagre income, loves films and adores the stars performing on the big screen. His family members reveal that he frequented to the functions of Jr NTR without a miss and even attended star's grand marriage reception and had photographed with him on more than one occasion. Displaying, Raju with his favourite star Jr NTR laminated photograph, Eshwaramma wails inconsolably. There was not anything more for family to bank on as the family ekes out a living on just Raju's meagre earnings.

Raju's sister Lalitha said that Raju deferred his marriage plans to the next year despite the pressure from his mother as it would reduce the burden on her to perform the daily chores. A There is no family property to the kin of Raju except a two-room dwelling at Beerannakunta. Lalitha, discounting Rs 5 lakh compensation offer by Badshah producer Bandla Ganesh, questioned angrily that can he bring back his brother alive? Lalitha advises that it is a sheer waste of time for the fans.A Is the poor crowd management at the venue of the audio release function was the prime reason for the stampede? Lalitha and another relative Srilatha blame the organisers for not making proper arrangements at the venue. They elicited the first reactions of those who had gone to the same function along with other fans from Fort Warangal. Moreover, the organisers were busy with function unmindful of the stampede, no one called emergency service like 108 ambulance on time, they lamented. Each second counts when you are critical, said some fans. Fans at what cost, they fumed. The family is mourning the death of the innocent and hard working Raju who until his death was a great admirer of Jr NTR.A The family, who initially declined the compensation, is yet to come to terms with the reality.

Raju's family receives Rs 10 Lakh Warangal: In a small respite to 23-year-old Raju alias Rajendra Prasad's family, who lost their family member in the stampede on Sunday night that took place during the audio launch of NTR- starrer 'Baadshah' at Nanakramguda in Hyderabad, a financial help was offered to them by the 'Baadshah' team. According to a statement released by Parameshwara Arts banner, under which 'Baadshah' is being produced, an amount of Rs 10 Lakh was given to the victim's family on Monday. The statement says two cheques of Rs 5 Lakh each were handed over to Eeshwaramma, mother of Raju. Disheartened by the death of his hardcore fan, NTR, who stated on Sunday that he will stand by the victim's family, kept his word on Monday. The 'Baadshah' donated an amount of Rs 5 Lakh to the Raju's family while producer Bandla Ganesh contributed another Rs 5 Lakh to the bereaved family. NTR and the crew of 'Baadshah' expressed their condolences and assured that they shall extend their help for Raju's family.