Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 2 : Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendra has criticised the state government's handling of the recent stampede in Karur, which claimed 41 lives and raised questions over the role of authorities in the tragedy.
Nagendra raised several questions about the incident, including who had switched off the power supply and who had thrown footwear that may have contributed to the stampede. He also questioned the police's actions, asking why a lathi charge was conducted and why an ambulance was needed immediately after the meeting began.
"All of you know how the incident at the Kumbh Mela took place. In Karur, 41 people tragically lost their lives. Who switched off the power supply? Who threw the footwear? What was the police doing? Permission was not granted at the spot where TVK asked. What was the need for the police to do a lathi charge? Why was an ambulance needed immediately after the meeting began?" Nagendra said while addressing reporters here.
The BJP leader also alleged that the event was held without permission at the designated spot, despite the organisers, TVK, not being granted permission. He contrasted this with the government's treatment of Chief Minister's events, which, he claimed, always receive permission.
Nagendra further criticised the officials for holding press meets while a one-man commission is conducting an inquiry into the incident.
"But for the Chief Minister's events, permission is always given, but why was it denied for this one? When an inquiry is being conducted by a one-man commission, it is not right for officials to hold press meets...," he said.
An eight-member delegation of the NDA-BJP on Tuesday visited the hospital in Karur where those injured in the September 27 stampede are currently undergoing treatment. Before arriving at the hospital, the delegation, constituted by BJP national president JP Nadda, visited the site of the stampede to inspect the area and interact with eyewitnesses.
The Karur stampede had claimed the lives of atleast 41 people, with more than 100 people injured. The incident took place at Velusamypuram, at the Karur-Erode Highway, after a large crowd gathered for the political rally. Reportedly, Vijay's arrival was delayed by several hours.