NEW DELHI: Hours after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha’s demise on Monday night, the Centre on Tuesday declared one-day state mourning across the country and directed all the States and Union Territories to fly the national flag at half-mast in their respective capitals.
The Centre also decided to accord state funeral to the departed leader as a mark of respect.
"The Government of India today announced with profound sorrow the death of Selvi J. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, yesterday at Chennai. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the Centre has decided that the national flag will fly half-mast in the capitals of all States/UTs, including Delhi and throughout the State of Tamil Nadu," the Union Home Ministry said in a statement.
The Tamil Nadu CM passed away last night after battling multiple health ailments for 75 days at Chennai hospital last night. She had suffered a major cardiac arrest on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, the Centre has rushed as many as seven companies of the anti-riot force Rapid Action Force to Chennai to aid the State police in managing the crowd. The Government has also sounded out the CRPF to keep additional force personnel in an alert mode to be rushed to Tamil Nadu to meet with any eventuality in the State which is emotionally charged due to the death of the popular Chief Minister.
A CRPF spokesperson said, “Most of the companies have already reached Tamil Nadu and the remaining will be reaching soon.”
According to the Union Home Ministry Control Room, no untoward incident was reported till Tuesday evening. However, the Control Room is monitoring the situation on a 24/7 basis, officials said.