‘Loss of innocent lives is truly heartbreaking’: Rajnath Singh expresses anguish over Karur stampede

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay’s public rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur.

In a post on X, Singh said, “Deeply anguished by the tragic accident at a rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The loss of innocent lives is truly heartbreaking. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those who are injured.”

Around 31 people were killed while 58 others were injured in a stampede at TVK chief and actor Vijay’s public rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur on Saturday evening, officials said.

The massive crowd at Vijay’s rally turned chaotic, triggering panic and a stampede. Several attendees fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Sources said that overcrowding at the venue led to the tragedy.

BJP leader Annamalai also condoled deaths at Karur’s stampede and urged the state government to to ensure proper treatment for all those affected.

In a post on X, the BJP leader wrote, “In Karur, the news that approximately forty people, including children, lost their lives due to stampede at a gathering attended by Thaveka leader Mr. Vijay is deeply shocking and distressing. Many others have been injured and admitted to hospitals. I urge the Tamil Nadu government to ensure proper treatment for all those affected. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.”

He condemned the state government and the police accusing them of being “negligent” and failing to provide of adequate security arrangements in such political event.

The social media post reads, “For a political party’s gathering, it is the responsibility of the police to accurately estimate the number of attendees, select an appropriate venue accordingly, and deploy an adequate number of police personnel to ensure the safety of the public attending the event.

There are also reports that electricity was disrupted during Mr. Vijay’s gathering. The Tamil Nadu government and the police acting with such negligence is highly condemnable.”

“The DMK government, which deploys the entire district police force to provide security for gatherings organized by DMK members, has made it a habit to fail in providing adequate security arrangements for events held by opposition parties. I strongly urge the DMK government to immediately provide appropriate compensation to the families of those who lost their lives, conduct a thorough investigation into whether this accident occurred due to inadequate security arrangements and the power disruption, and take strict action based on the findings,” it added.

DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji, who arrived at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur following the Chief Minister’s instructions, stated that MK Stalin will visit Karur tomorrow (Sunday) to assess the situation and meet with the victims and their families. He added that instructions have been given to private hospitals not to collect charges from the injured and to provide all necessary medical care.

“Till now, 31 people have died in the stampede, and 58 people have been admitted to the hospital. After the stampede incident, the CM immediately enquired and ordered the district collector, SP, and me to rush to the hospital, advising us to call extra doctors and provide proper treatment…Tomorrow, the Chief Minister will come here himself. As of now, 46 persons are in a private hospital, and 12 persons are admitted to a government hospital for treatment,” Senthil Balaji told reporters.

Tamil Nadu ADGP (Law and Order) Davidson Devarsirvatham told ANI, “There is a possibility that more than 30 people may have died. I am on my way to Karur to inspect the site.”

Chief Minister MK Stalin is holding an urgent meeting of officials at the Secretariat. (ANI)