Death Toll Reaches 40 in Tamil Nadu Stampede; Inquiry Panel Initiated by Government

The stampede at a rally led by actor-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu has resulted in 40 deaths. An inquiry panel has been established to investigate the incident, while compensation has been announced for victims' families.

The tragic stampede at a rally led by actor-politician Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on September 27 resulted in 40 deaths. Over 60 individuals are receiving treatment, with two in critical condition. In response, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) sought a CBI or independent investigation through the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench. Vijay expressed deep sorrow and announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for each victim's family.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each deceased's family and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The state government offered Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to those injured. TVK announced Rs 20 lakh for each victim's family and Rs 2 lakh for the injured. The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee pledged Rs 1 crore for the victims' families, while BJP offered Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.

Investigation and Reactions

Justice Aruna Jagadeesan leads a single-person inquiry commission set up by the Tamil Nadu government. She visited a Karur hospital to speak with affected individuals and inspected the stampede site. Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, and other political leaders visited the hospital. Celebrities like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan expressed condolences.

Amidst criticism, Vijay faced protests outside his Chennai residence by a Tamil students' group. A man injured in the stampede petitioned the High Court to prevent further public meetings by Vijay until a thorough investigation is completed. TVK deputy general secretary Nirmal Kumar called for an impartial inquiry into the incident.

Police and Administrative Responses

Edappadi Palaniswami criticised police and administration for failing to manage the crowd effectively. Police stated that unexpected large crowds gathered due to Vijay's delayed arrival, leading to chaos. ADGP Law and Order S Davidson Devasirvatham mentioned that nearly 500 police personnel were deployed and denied any stone-pelting incidents during the rally.

BJP leader Annamalai criticised the state government for inadequate venue allocation and police deployment. He urged Vijay to avoid weekend trips that attract large crowds and demanded strict action against district officials while seeking a CBI inquiry.

Details of Victims

Tamil Nadu Health Secretary P Senthil Kumar reported that two individuals remain critical while others are stable. Among the victims were ten children, including a two-year-old boy, seventeen women, and thirteen men. A young couple set to marry soon also perished in the tragedy.

The Karur district administration established control rooms at Government Medical College Hospital to assist those affected promptly. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Stalin shared on social media that Rahul Gandhi reached out to express concern over the incident and inquire about ongoing measures.

Karur district Collector M Thangavel confirmed that several control rooms were opened at Government Medical College Hospital to assist those affected immediately. Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Chief Engineer C Rajalakshmi refuted claims of power supply suspension during the rally.

The tragic incident has sparked widespread reactions from political leaders, celebrities, and citizens alike. As investigations continue, there is a strong demand for accountability and preventive measures to avoid such tragedies in future events.

With inputs from PTI