Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 30 : Tamil Nadu government designated spokesperson and IAS P Amudha on Tuesday expressed grief over the unfortunate Karur stampede incident that claimed the lives of 41 people, and said that over 25,000 people gathered at the Uzhavar Sandhai ground, where Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay's rally was held, even though permission was sought for 10,000 participants only.
Expressing that the incident has caused "deep sorrow", Amudha said that rumours and misconceptions circulating on social media regarding the stampede incident were being addressed.
"The organisers had sought permission for 10,000 participants. Accordingly, security deployment was enhanced, with one policeman for every 20 people (a stricter ratio than the standard 1:50). By evening, over 25,000 people had gathered, leading to congestion as the party leader's convoy arrived," Amudha, who is the Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management Department, said.
"As per the Department of Information and Public Relations, the police had allocated Velusamypuram as the venue after discussions with the organisers. Other suggested venues were denied due to safety concerns. The Uzhavar Sandhai ground, with better accessibility, was eventually approved," she added.
The government official stated that the gathering began to swell in the afternoon as many had waited from morning without proper hydration, which led to exhaustion.
"The gathering began swelling in the afternoon. Many attendees had waited from morning without proper hydration, leading to exhaustion. As the leader's large campaign vehicle moved in, the crowd surge and limited space resulted in a stampede-like situation," Amudha said.
She reiterated that both government and private medical support responded quickly once the seriousness of the situation was known.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder and chief Thol Thirumavalavan on Tuesday asserted that leaders of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) must take responsibility and accept that the unfortunate Karur stampede incident "is their own fault".
"First of all, the frontline leaders of TVK have to realise that it is their own fault. It happened due to a lack of leadership. They are trying to accuse and make allegations against the DMK government," Thirumavalavan told ANI.
He stated that the main reason for the stampede to occur was the delay in the arrival of the actor and TVK chief Vijay, as well as the large number of people in the crowd.
"Vijay delayed as much as he wanted. The crowd of thousands waited for a long time for Vijay, who came in the evening. This is the main cause of this tragedy. TVK leaders have to learn some lessons from this kind of tragedy. It will help them in the future. It will not be helpful for them if they try to make allegations against the CM and the government of Tamil Nadu," Thirumavalavan said.
Actor and TVK chief Vijay on Tuesday released an emotional statement, his first public reaction following the stampede in Karur that occurred during a party rally on September 27, which claimed 41 lives.
"I have never faced such a painful situation in my life. My heart is aching, I am in deep pain," Vijay said in a self-made video posted on social media, adding that the truth about what transpired on the day of the stampede will come out soon.
"People come to see me in this campaign, the only reason behind it is love and affection. In my life, I have never experienced such pain. I will soon meet the victims," he added.
Earlier, a local court in Tamil Nadu's Karur sent two TVK functionaries to judicial custody until October 14 in connection with the stampede.
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh today said that strict action would be taken against all those found responsible.
"An inquiry commission headed by a retired judge has been formed. If lapses are found, strict action will be taken against those responsible," Mahesh told reporters.