Karur stampede: TVK chief Vijay announces Rs 20 lakh aid for kin of deceased

At least 39 people, including children, were killed and 95 were injured in a stampede that broke out during a rally of actor-politician Vijay in Karur on Saturday (September 27). Of the injured, 51 have been admitted to the government hospital in Karur, where the condition of one of them is stated to be critical.

Long wait, crowd surge at Vijay’s rally

Addressing the press on Sunday (September 28) morning, Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkataraman blamed the stampede on the delayed arrival of actor-politician Vijay at the venue. He said the crowd had been waiting for a long time and lacked sufficient food and water while waiting for the actor’s arrival under the hot sun.

He said a surge in crowd was seen after the official X handle of Vijay’s TVK party said he would arrive at the venue by 12 noon.

“Permission (for the meeting) was sought between 3 pm-10 pm. The TVK Twitter account said he will come at 12 and the crowd started coming in from 11 AM. He came at 7.40 PM. The people lacked sufficient food and water under the hot sun." "Our intention is not to blame anyone, but we are just stating the facts," he said.

‘Arrangement made for 10K people; 27K turned up’

Further, Vijay was accorded a welcome at one point, and a big crowd followed him, and he was ushered in safely to the venue by the police. "He also lauded the police...the crowd kept swelling," he said.

While the organisers put the expected number at 10,000, about 27,000 people turned up to have a glimpse of the actor, Venkataraman said.

He indicated police protection was given, anticipating about 20,000.

Asked if there were "only 500" police personnel on bandobast duty, he said the meeting venue was a public road and more police cover would have meant people would not have sufficient space.

Two days ago, the meeting of a "big party" was held here, he said in an apparent reference to the AIADMK.

Stalin rushes to Karur, orders probe

Chief Minister MK Stalin rushed to Karur from Chennai past midnight and took stock of the treatment being given to the injured at the government hospital there.

Stalin said such a tragedy with such massive casualties in a political event has never occurred in the history of Tamil Nadu and should never recur in the future.

He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured while ordering the formation of an inquiry commission headed by a retired high court judge to probe the incident.

Authorities announced helpline numbers to reach the Karur district collect office helpdesk (04324 256306 and Whatsapp 7010806322).

Heat, chaos, overcrowding, 'power cut'

My heart is shattered: Vijay

The rally, part of Vijay's party TVK’s state-wide campaign push ahead of upcoming elections, was abruptly halted as cries of "police, please help!" echoed through the venue. Videos circulating online showed Vijay pausing his speech to distribute water bottles to his supporters.

Vijay later issued a brief statement on social media: "My heart is shattered; I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment in the hospital."

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