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The death toll in the Karur stampede at actor-politician Vijay's rally has risen to 40, with more than 60 others still under treatment. A government-appointed
inquiry panel led by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan has begun its probe, while Chief Minister M K Stalin said any action would depend on the findings of the commission. Amid mounting criticism, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) sought a CBI probe, announced compensation, and faced protests outside his residence in Chennai.
Latest Updates From Karur Stampede:
-At least 40 people, including 10 children, 17 women, and 13 men, have died in the September 27 Karur stampede. Over 60 are being treated as in-patients; two remain critical.
-The youngest was a two-year-old boy; a young couple soon to be married and a mother with two children were also among the dead.
-Mounds of shoes and chappals, crushed water bottles, torn party flags, pieces of clothes, broken poles, shreds of paper sprayed from party poppers and striking garbage of sorts, at the venue only reminded of the tragic incident.
-Justice Aruna Jagadeesan-led commission has begun inspections and hospital visits.
-Stalin said possible action against TVK would depend on the panel’s report.
-State announced Rs 10 lakh for families of the dead and Rs 1 lakh for the injured; PM Modi offered Rs 2 lakh and Rs 50,000; Vijay's TVK promised Rs 20 lakh and Rs 2 lakh; TN Congress pledged Rs 1 crore; BJP announced Rs 1 lakh per victim's family.
-TVK has approached the Madras HC Madurai Bench seeking a CBI or independent probe; a victim moved court to stop further TVK rallies until accountability is fixed.
-Leaders including Udhayanidhi Stalin, Edappadi K Palaniswami, Annamalai, and Anbumani Ramadoss visited the injured; Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan condoled the deaths.
-BJP leader Annamalai blamed the state for poor venue choice and inadequate police strength, demanded action against the district collector and SP, and called for a CBI probe.
-Police cited an unexpected surge in crowd gathered to see the actor. Also, the crowd swelled due to the delayed arrival of the actor-politician to the venue and they lacked sufficient food and water during the waiting hours under the hot sun.
-ADGP (Law and Order) S Davidson Devasirvatham said nearly 500 police personnel were deployed for the rally and asserted that proper police bandobust was provided. Referring to the findings of the preliminary investigation, he denied the claims of a section that there was a stone pelting during the rally.
-Rahul Gandhi spoke with Stalin and Vijay, expressing solidarity over the tragedy.
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