Chennai: Stating that 39 people have died in the stampede at the political rally organised by TVK Founder and actor-politician Vijay at Karur on Saturday night, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin earlier this morning said he was pained about the incident and said he was at a loss of words on how to describe the tragic incidentt that occured at TVK's political rally in Karur.
Talking to reporters, after placing wreaths at the bodies of each of the deceased and personally consoling the families and parents of the deceased and meeting the 51 injured undergoing treatment at the Karur government hospital, he said the deceased included 17 women, 13 men and 9 kids, including five girls and four boys.
Such incident and tragedy in a political rally has not taken place before and should not happen in future, he said.
Of the 51 undergoing treatment at the Karur Government hospital, 26 were women and 25 men, he said, adding, this tragedy could not be described in words and wished all the injured a speedy recovery.
He said he was now standing before the media with a heavy heart and said such incidents should not recur in future.
Pointing out the steps taken by him, including constituting a One member panel headed by Retd Justice Ms Aruna Jagadeesan, who will go into the circumstances that led to the stampede and the Rs ten lakh assistance announced by him to the deceased family members, deputing his Cabinet colleagues and senior police officials to ensure adequate treatment, chairing a high level emergency meeting with senior Ministers and officials at the State Secretariat, and holding discussions with the Karur District Collector soon after hearing about the tragedy, Mr Stalin said necessary action would be taken based on the report of the Commission.
Asked whether Vijay would be arrested following the incident, he said whatever action was recommended by the One man panel will be taken.
"I cannot say whether this person (Vijay) or that person will be arrested...We will take action after the Commission submits its report", he added.
He also refused to make any comments with political motives and will act on the report of the Commission and appaled to the people to extend their fullest cooperation.
