Lagatar24 Desk
Chennai: Actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has reached out to the families of those who died in last month’s Karur stampede through video calls, assuring them of his personal visit soon.
Vijay Reaches Out To Grieving Families
According to officials, Vijay has so far spoken to at least five families affected by the September 27 stampede during his rally in Karur. He expressed condolences, consoled the bereaved, and promised to visit Karur shortly to meet them in person.
The tragic stampede claimed 41 lives and left at least 60 others injured. Police reports revealed that nearly 30,000 people gathered at a venue meant for 10,000, with security lapses, lack of drinking water, and overcrowding playing a major role in the disaster.
Power Outage, Narrow Space, Crowd Surge Led To Chaos
Eyewitnesses described a power outage, a sudden surge in the crowd, and narrow spaces contributing to the tragedy. Vijay, scheduled to arrive at noon, reached the venue around 7 pm. His arrival sparked further crowd movement as supporters climbed trees, rooftops, and power lines, forcing authorities to cut electricity to avoid electrocution. In the frenzy, slippers were thrown at Vijay’s campaign bus to get his attention, leading to pushing, fainting, and eventually a deadly stampede.
Vijay announced a compensation of ₹20 lakh for each victim’s family and ₹2 lakh for the injured, suspending his statewide tour following the incident. Police arrested TVK Karur West District Secretary Mathiyazhagan for lapses, while cases were filed against TVK General Secretary Bussy Anand and Joint General Secretary Nirmal Sekar, who are currently absconding.
Political Tensions Rise Amid Tragedy
Amid criticism, Vijay alleged a conspiracy by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a claim denied by both the MK Stalin-led party and the state police.
