"Such incidents should not happen in future": AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Karur stampede

Karur (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 28 (ANI): AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in the stampede at actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur on Saturday evening, as the number of casualties in the incident has risen to 40.
Speaking to reporters, the AMMK General Secretary said the authorities and political parties should take a lesson from the incident so that such incidents are avoided in future.
TTV Dhinakaran said, "Yesterday, a sad incident happened in which 40 persons died. An elderly woman in the hospital is critical, according to doctors. In the future, such a sad tragedy should not happen, which is what the political party and the police should ensure and take as a lesson. Political parties should be more careful, and the police should also make sure no such loss of life happens. This is just an accident, and I don't want to make it a political issue."
"We should all take responsibility to make sure such incidents do not happen in future in Tamil Nadu. I have not come as a political party leader but just as a common man. The Tamil Nadu Government has been doing well on the stampede issue. Forming a one-member committee to enquire into and investigate the stampede issue is the right decision," he added.

Karur Collector M Thangavel confirmed on Sunday that at least 40 people died in the incident. The state government announced immediate relief measures, including a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of each deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those undergoing medical treatment. Emergency teams and doctors were deployed to provide urgent care, and hospital facilities were strengthened with additional beds to manage the influx of patients.
Addressing a press conference alongside ADGP (Law and Order) S Davidson Devasirvatham, the Collector Thangavel said, "A total of 40 people have died in the stampede so far. The Chief Minister arrived immediately at night and ordered proper treatment for the injured. He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those receiving treatment. A help desk has been opened at the hospital... The Tamil Nadu government has taken steps to prevent further deaths."
The massive crowd at Vijay's rally reportedly turned chaotic, triggering panic. Several attendees fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Sources had said that overcrowding at the venue led to the tragedy.
Chief Minister MK Stalin visited the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur late Saturday night, met the injured, and paid tribute to those who lost their lives.
The Chief Minister further announced the formation of a one-member Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report to the government.
Meanwhile, TVK chief and actor Vijay announced financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh for each bereaved family and Rs 2 lakh for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. He also announced an amount of Rs 50,000 each for the people injured in the tragic incident. "PM Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the unfortunate incident at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," the PMO posted on X. (ANI)