CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin deputed Health Minister Ma Subramanian, ADGP Law and Order Davidson Devasirvatham, and the Collectors of Tiruchy and Dindigul to rush to Karur to assist and expedite all possible measures in handling those affected in the stampede during actor and TVK president Vijay’s rally there on Saturday evening.
The CM said on Saturday night that he would be personally visiting Karur to meet the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and to visit those receiving treatment in hospitals.
Expressing deep grief over the tragedy, the CM announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He said Rs 1 lakh will be given to each of those undergoing intensive treatment in hospitals.
He also announced that a one-member Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired High Court Judge Aruna Jegadeesan, will be constituted immediately to investigate the tragic incident and submit a report to the government.
The CM said 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, lost their lives after being caught in the crowd at the rally.
"I was overcome with inexpressible grief and anguish. These priceless lives lost have shaken us all. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families who have suffered this irreparable loss. I have directed that all those admitted to hospital receive the best possible medical care," he added.
The CM said that to expedite special medical arrangements, he had deputed the Ministers for School Education and Health to Karur. In addition, the District Collectors of Tiruchirappalli, Salem, and Dindigul, along with medical teams, have been dispatched to Karur.
Soon after the incident, the CM, in a post on X, said he was distressed over the news emerging from Karur and had directed Subramanian and former Minister and Karur MLA V Senthil Balaji to coordinate the efforts towards treatment being given to the affected people.
He also directed School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyazhamozhi to extend all assistance necessary on a war footing to the affected people. He said ADGP (Law and Order) had been directed to take swift action to restore normalcy at the earliest.
"I appeal to the public to cooperate with doctors and the police," the CM added.
Around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, the CM rushed to the Secretariat to hold discussions with senior ministers and bureaucrats to review how the situation unfolded and the immediate measures to be taken.