Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, Mar 3 (UNI) A 65-year-old woman was killed and 16 others were injured in a stampede when people rushed to get applications for domestic drinking water connections at a school in Surandai village in the district early today.

According to police, the victim, K Kanniyammal, was among those who came early and had waited in front of the narrow entrance of the school since the wee hours. The number grew in size and there was a lone constable to man the huge crowd, which gathered, though applications were to be issued for only 1500 connections.

Following attempts to gatecrash, the watchman reportedly opened the small gate, which led to a stampede as everyone tried to gain entry.

Many suffered injuries and some had trouble breathing. They were rushed to nearby private hospitals. The victim died of acute breathing problem at a hospital and the body was later removed to the Government Hospital at Tenkasi for post-mortem, police added.

Earlier reports said the incident took place during drinking water distribution through tanker lorries.

Local functionaries of opposition parties including the AIADMK said the tragedy could have been averted had the applications been issued separately in each ward of the local panchayat. Suggestions to this effect were not heeded, they regretted. A protest was being planned to condemn the laxity of the authorities, they added.

UNI