SNE NETWORK.NATIONAL DESK.
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday blamed the Tamil Nadu government for the Karur stampede, which killed at least 41 people and injured over 100 others on September 27. The incident occurred during a stampede at a political event in Velusamypuram on the Karur-Erode Highway.
Palaniswamy said that if the government had made adequate security arrangements, these lives could have been saved. He questioned, “Who is responsible for the deaths of 41 people in Tamil Nadu?” He claimed that such a massive tragedy had never occurred at such a public event before.
The AIADMK leader alleged that the DMK government adopts a different approach to the ruling party and the opposition. He stated that a large police force is deployed at ruling party meetings, while security is deliberately reduced at opposition events. He directly targeted Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, saying that the police department is under the Chief Minister’s control, and that if he had given proper instructions, this incident would not have occurred.
Palaniswami also questioned the government-appointed inquiry commission, questioning how an impartial investigation could be expected when ADGP-level officers are already defending the government. Citing statements by former minister Senthil Balaji, he said that fear was clearly visible on his face when he spoke to the press about the Karur incident.
The AIADMK general secretary also pointed out that he had recently held rallies in 163 assembly constituencies, but only received security in a few districts. In most places, his party and allies had to make their own security arrangements. Attacking Chief Minister Stalin, he said, “Stalin said that Tamil Nadu would never bow its head, but today the entire state has bowed in shame. This incident is shocking not just Tamil Nadu, but the entire country.”
The tragedy occurred when a large crowd had gathered for the event, and actor Vijay’s late arrival caused the crowd to spiral out of control. Forty-one people, mostly women and children, died in the accident.