Vijay to arrive in Karur this week? TVK chief ‘determined’ to meet families of stampede victims before Diwali

Weeks after the deadly stampede in Karur during a rally of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, the actor-politician is likely to meet the families of the victims on October 15 or 17.

 

Vijay has conveyed his intention to visit Karur soon after the party’s 16-day morning period concludes on Monday, reports said.

 

“Our leader is deeply moved by the tragedy and is determined to meet the families in person before Deepavali. We have applied for police permission for a visit on either October 15 or 17, and the final date will be confirmed once the police grant approval,” a senior TVK functionary told IANS news agency.

 

Last week, the TVK had submitted a letter to the Director General of Police (DGP) seeking permission and security arrangements for Vijay to visit Karur in order to meet the victims' families.

 

The letter made five requests to the police: zero-tolerance crowd control from Trichy airport to the venue and return, security at Trichy airport, venue security in Karur, media and publicity restrictions, and itinerary and cooperation. 

 

The stampede, which claimed 41 lives and injured over 100 others, took place on September 27 when the crowd swelled beyond expectation and surged uncontrollably on the actor's arrival.

 

According to police, the rally saw a turnout of 27,000—nearly three times the expected 10,000 participants—and Vijay reached the venue seven hours late.

 

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Tamil Nadu Police is investigating the stampede and has arrested TVK Karur district secretary Mathiyazhagan for his alleged failure to enforce safety measures and control the crowd.

 

Vijay’s team, meanwhile, has moved the Supreme Court, demanding an independent investigation by a retired judge. The top court is scheduled to pronounce its order on October 13.

 

On Friday, the apex court, while reserving its orders, had questioned the Madras High Court for constituting a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the stampede and wondered how it had proceeded with the matter.

India