Chennai: The toll from the stampede at actor Vijay’s public rally in Karur has risen to 38, Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkataraman mentioned on Sunday.
The crowd swelled as a result of delayed arrival of the actor-politician to the venue they usually lacked enough meals and water in the course of the ready hours underneath the new solar, he informed reporters right here.
“An unlucky incident occurred; a regrettable one. As per newest data, 38 have individuals have died. They are 12 males, 16 girls and 10 youngsters,” he mentioned in an early morning briefing.
He additional mentioned there was a crowd surge after the official Twitter deal with of Vijay’s TVK occasion talked about that he would arrive on the assembly venue by 12 midday.
“Permission (for the assembly) was searched for between 3 pm-10 pm. The TVK Twitter account mentioned he’ll come at 12 and crowd began coming in from 11 AM. He got here at 7.40 PM. The folks lacked enough meals water underneath the new solar.”
“Our intention is to not blame anybody, however we’re simply stating the details,” the Head of Police Force added.
Further, Vijay was accorded welcome at one level and a giant crowd adopted him and he was ushered in safely to the venue by the police. “He additionally lauded the police…the gang saved swelling,” he mentioned.
While the organisers put the anticipated quantity at 10,000, about 27,000 folks turned as much as have a glimpse of the actor, Venkataraman mentioned.
He indicated police safety was given anticipating about 20,000.
Asked if there have been “solely 500” police personnel on bandobast obligation, he mentioned the assembly venue was a public highway and extra police cowl would have meant folks wouldn’t have enough area.
Two days in the past, the assembly of a “huge occasion” was held right here, he mentioned in an obvious reference to the AIADMK.
Asked if there was any “safety lapse” that led to the tragic incident, he identified that the federal government has introduced a Commission of Inquiry to probe the trigger.
The organisers had been clearly informed about crowd and associated points and the police is just “further assist,” and there can’t be added police presence anticipating such a surge in crowd.
Presently ADGP (Law and Order), Davidson Airvatham, 3 Inspector General of Police, 2 DIGs, 10 SPs and 2000 police personnel have left for Karur, he mentioned.
