In Tamil Nadu, the death toll in Karur stampede incident at a political rally of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) yesterday stands at 39. According to the Director of Medical Education today, 81 persons are under treatment and two patients are in critical condition and are on a ventilator. Condolences have been pouring from leaders cutting across party lines.
Akashvani correspondent reports that the process of identifying the mortal remains have been completed and have been handed over to their families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased in the unfortunate incident in Karur. The injured would be given fifty thousand rupees.
Earlier today, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi who visited the hospital, said the Government will take appropriate steps to prevent accidents such as the stampede in future.
State Opposition leader E.Palaniswamy today visited the injured at the Government hospital in Karur, after which he met the reporters and blamed the State Government for not providing enough security arrangements.
Tamilnadu DGP G.Venkataraman said that the X handle of the Party had mentioned that the actor politician Vijay would arrive at the venue by 12 noon whereas the actor had turned up at 7.40 pm and the people were without water and food till then.
He also said that the turnout was higher than expected and the organisers were informed about it.
He said TVK Party’s general secretary N. Anand and four others have been booked over the stampede.
The State BJP President and MLA Nainar Nagendran today said that a sitting bench of the Supreme Court should inquire into the incident. In an interaction with the media at Karur, he said that the incident needs to be thoroughly probed.
In a related development, the founder of TVK, Actor turned politician Vijay, has announced that 20 lakhs rupees assistance would be given to the family of the bereaved.
A statement after a closed-door meeting with his party officials at Panaiyur, Chennai he stated that the expenses to treat those who are admitted at the hospitals will be borne by him.