In Kerala, the bodies of 19 Ayyappa devotees who were killed in the stampede at Uppupara in Idukki district have been airlifted from the Kochi International Airport to Hyderabad. Three more bodies will be airlifted later this afternoon.

Eight bodies , still to be identified, are kept at the Ernakulam General Hospital. A team of Crime Branch Officials and some state police personnel have reached Kumili and are on their way to Uppupara where the stampede occured last Friday claiming 102 lives.

Meanwhile, the State Education Minister, Mr.M.A.Baby who met the Prime Minister New Delhi said Dr. Manmohan Singh has assured all help to expedite the developmental work to be taken up under the Sabarimala master plan. Mr. Baby told Media persons in Kochi that the works to be taken up on priority, will be decided at the next meeting of the State Cabinet and will be conveyed to the Prime Minister.