"There was no security": DMDK President Premalatha slams DMK govt, TVK's Vijay over Karur stampede

Karur (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 28 (ANI): DMDK President Premalatha Vijayakanth on Sunday targeted DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and TVK chief Vijay following the Karur stampede that claimed 40 lives and injured others, citing a lack of basic and adequate security arrangements.

Addressing a press conference, Premalatha claimed that TVK chief Vijay arrived at the venue at 7 pm, while people had started gathering since 9 am, and there was no arrangement for the crowd.

Expressing grief over the stampede, she further said September 27 was a “black day” for Tamil Nadu.

The DMDK President said, “I asked the patients. They themselves said that the passage was narrow. It wasn’t big enough for more people. Vijay arrived very late. Everyone had gathered there by 9 am, but Vijay arrived by 7 pm. It was sunny yesterday, and there was no water, no food, nothing. There are many reasons for this, and there was no security. Even the police didn’t provide adequate protection.”

“Even Vijay’s party should take care of his fans who are coming just to see Vijay. What security is Vijay providing to people? This is wrong. This is a big example for Tamil Nadu and Vijay’s party. This should not happen again…Yesterday was a black day for Tamil Nadu,” she added.

The death toll of the stampede at actor Vijay’s political rally for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu’s Karur on Saturday evening has risen to 40.

Karur Collector M Thangavel confirmed on Sunday that at least 40 people died in the incident. The state government announced immediate relief measures, including a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those undergoing medical treatment. Emergency teams and doctors were deployed to provide urgent care, and hospital facilities were strengthened with additional beds to manage the influx of patients.

The massive crowd at Vijay’s rally reportedly turned chaotic, triggering panic. Several attendees fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Sources had said that overcrowding at the venue led to the tragedy.

Chief Minister MK Stalin visited the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur late Saturday night, met the injured, and paid tribute to those who lost their lives. He announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each family of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for each person undergoing treatment.

The Chief Minister further announced the formation of a one-member Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report to the government.

Meanwhile, TVK chief and actor Vijay announced financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh for each bereaved family and Rs 2 lakh for the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced ex-gratia payments from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. He also announced an amount of Rs 50,000 each for the people injured in the tragic incident. “PM Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the unfortunate incident at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” the PMO posted on X. (ANI)

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