Sunday, December 18 2005 15:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam has condoled the loss of life in a stampede at a flood relief distribution camp in Chennai today (Dec 18,2005).

"The President has expressed his deep concern over the incident and is sure that the state Government is taking all possible steps to provide assistance to the people affected by the tragedy," a Rashtrapati Bhawan Spokesperson said here.

Kalam, who is on a visit to Kerala, has wished the injured speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, the CPI (M) has held the Tamil Nadu Government responsible for the loss of lives in the stampede at the food relief camp.

"It is the elementary responsibility of the State Government to ensure orderly supply of relief material without poor people having to risk their lives and injuries to themselves," the party said in a statement.

Communist Party of India (CPI) Marxist (M) said the tragedy could have been averted if only the authorities had learnt the lessons from the earlier stampede in November at a relief camp in the city. Six persons were killed in the incident.

"The second successive stampede and loss of lives shows the callous attitude of the administration towards the people suffering due to floods," it said.