Karur : The TVK Karur secretary faced arrest as police intensified their investigation into the tragic stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur, which claimed 41 lives.
On Tuesday, Karur Police took Ponraj, the TVK Central City Secretary, into custody, just a day after they arrested Mathiazhagan, the party’s West District Secretary.
Police made both arrests while investigating whether lapses in crowd management and permissions contributed to the deadly crush.
Thousands gathered to hear Vijay speak at Velayuthampalayam after his Namakkal roadshow earlier the same day, which led to the stampede.
Witnesses said the venue quickly became overcrowded, and panic spread when electricity went off during the event. In the chaos, people trampled many attendees, including women and children.
Over 60 people suffered injuries, and 41 lost their lives despite police and medical teams’ rescue efforts.
Karur Police earlier booked TVK General Secretary N. Anand, Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar, and Mathiazhagan under five IPC sections, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and disobedience of public orders.
Initially, authorities appointed DSP Selvaraj as the investigating officer, but the state police headquarters later replaced him with Additional SP Premanand to lead the probe.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed deep grief and assured full support to victims’ families.
“This tragedy is unbearable. We have ordered a judicial inquiry under retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan and will frame safety rules for public rallies after consulting all parties,” he said, urging people not to spread rumors.
AIADMK General Secretary and Opposition Leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami accused the DMK government of ignoring basic safety.
“The administration ignored warnings about overcrowding. Authorities must fix accountability immediately,” he said, demanding action to prevent similar tragedies.
TVK founder Vijay, visibly shaken, announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for each bereaved family and urged his supporters to remain peaceful.
“This is a heartbreaking moment. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims. We will fully cooperate with the inquiry,” he said.
With Ponraj’s arrest, police signaled deeper scrutiny of event management failures and potential negligence within TVK’s organizational structure as public and political pressure mounts for justice.
–IANS
