Chennai Police has beefed up security at TVK’s President actor Vijay’s house at Panaiyur near Neelankarai after receiving a phone call claiming that a bomb had been planted at his residence.
The death toll in the September 27 stampede at Vijay-led TVK’s rally in Karur has climbed to 40, with over 60 injured and at least two critical. Among the victims were 10 children, 17 women and 13 men.
TVK has moved the Madras High Court seeking a CBI probe, while Vijay announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for each victim’s family. Police have booked TVK office-bearers for negligence.
Karur police filed a case for negligence against TVK office-bearers, while forensic experts examined key sites, including a sewer where bodies were reportedly recovered. Shops and businesses in Karur downed shutters in mourning.
Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, heading the state’s Commission of Inquiry, visited a local hospital, met victims’ families, and inspected the stampede site.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin and leaders of political parties including Leader of Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami, BJP's Nainar Nagenthran and K Annamalai, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, PMK top leader Anbumani Ramadoss visited the hospital. Celebrities including Rajinikanth and MNM chief Kamal Haasan have condoled the deaths.
Answering a question on possibility of TVK chief Vijay's arrest, the CM said any action, to be considered, would be based on the report of the inquiry panel and asserted that he was not inclined to make any comment with a political motive.
A Tamil students' body staged a protest in front of Vijay's house in Chennai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
While the state government has announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured, TVK announced Rs 20 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh each to those injured.
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee announced Rs 1 crore for the families of the dead and BJP announced Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of deceased.
Meanwhile, a man injured in the stampede moved the High Court with a plea to forbear Tamil Nadu DGP from granting permission to conduct any further public meetings by the party leader until Saturday's fatal incident was fully investigated and responsibility fixed.
Stopping short of alleging a conspiracy into the incident, TVK deputy general secretary Nirmal Kumar told reporters that the party had approached the HC Bench with a plea for an impartial inquiry.
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary P Senthil Kumar, providing updates on those deceased and injured said 2 were critical and all others were stable.
The youngest victim was a 2-year old boy. A 28-year old woman and her two daughters, both aged less than 10; a 24-year old man and a 24-year old woman who were set to get married soon were among the victims.
Edappadi Palaniswami blamed the police and administration for their inability to avert the tragedy by ensuring proper arrangements.
Police claimed that the situation went out of control as several thousands of persons far beyond the expected numbers gathered to see the actor.
Also, the crowd swelled due to the delayed arrival of the actor-politician to the venue and they lacked sufficient food and water during the waiting hours under the hot sun.
ADGP (Law and Order) S Davidson Devasirvatham said nearly 500 police personnel were deployed for the rally and asserted that proper police bandobust was provided.
He denied claims that there was stone pelting during the rally .
When Vijay's campaign vehicle was 50 metres away from the designated spot in Karur, he was instructed by a DSP-ranked officer to stop the vehicle and address the gathering from that place itself. But they did not extend their cooperation and insisted that they go the designated spot.
BJP leader Annamalai faulted the state government over allocation of venue for the rally and the strength of police personnel that was deployed. He wanted Vijay to give up weekend trips as it would attract more crowd.
He demanded that the government take tough action against district collector and police superintendent and sought for a CBI inquiry.
Karur district Collector M Thangavel said the administration opened several control rooms at the Government Medical College hospital to immediately serve those affected.
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