• Source:JND
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Tamil Nadu Stampede: Tamil Nadu police have defended their arrangements at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur, where 40 people died and almost 100 were injured in a stampede on Saturday evening.

The NDTV report cited ADGP (Law and Order) S Davidson Devasirvatham as stating that, event had been treated as high-risk and 500 policemen were stationed. He explained that the force was deployed on the basis of one officer for every 50 people, anticipating 25,000 attendees, well above the organisers’ estimate of 10,000. Eventually, the turnout touched nearly 27,000, he said.

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Devasirvatham pointed out that the police had consistently deployed large numbers for Vijay’s previous rallies. For instance, 650 officers were on duty in Trichy and 480 in Perambalur. In contrast, only 137 personnel had been assigned for a recent AIADMK rally in Karur, which he said drew a more disciplined crowd.

The officer admitted that despite the preparation, the situation spiralled. “Moving the injured was difficult in the crush. Even Vijay himself could not be taken out safely at once,” he told reporters. He also clarified that TVK had arranged two ambulances, as required, and that 10 more were called in later. Reports of stone pelting, he said, were unfounded.

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Reconstructing the sequence, the ADGP said many supporters had arrived by late morning but Vijay reached Karur only after 6 PM following a delay at his Namakkal programme. Supporters, who had waited for hours without food or water, became restless when he remained inside his vehicle for about 10 minutes after arrival. The push from the crowd triggered the deadly surge.

Meanwhile, the state electricity department said there was no power cut in Karur at the time, adding that only the party’s generator-powered lights had gone off during the commotion.

While the police argue that TVK ignored conditions laid down for crowd control, the party has accused the administration of failing in its duty. TVK has also announced plans to move the Madras High Court seeking an independent investigation.