Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor-turned-politician Vijay spoke out Tuesday concerning the stampede that left 41 individuals lifeless at his rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district. In a video launched on social media, he hinted at a doable political vendetta, hours after the Karur police arrested two functionaries of his occasion in reference to the 27 September incident.

Why did the stampede occur solely in Karur and never within the 5 different districts the place he campaigned beforehand, Vijay requested within the video. He additionally dared Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Okay. Stalin to take motion towards him and spare TVK staff.

The TVK president mentioned the tragedy was the “most painful scenario in his life”.

“I’ve by no means confronted such a painful scenario in my life. My coronary heart is full of ache. Solely ache. On this marketing campaign, lots of people are coming to see me. There is just one motive for it, their belief and love,” he mentioned within the practically five-minute video.

Vijay mentioned that whereas planning his rallies, he and his crew had all the time prioritised public security over political concerns.

The actor-turned-politician mentioned he left Karur after the stampede as a result of staying there might have triggered additional chaos. “I’m additionally a typical man. How can I depart town when so many individuals are affected? Had I deliberate to return (to Karur), that may have develop into a motive for one more untoward incident. That’s why I prevented going again.”

He additionally provided condolences to the bereaved households. “Presently, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the kin of those that misplaced their lives. I do know the loss is irreparable. I pray for the speedy restoration of those that are getting handled at hospitals. I’ll meet you all quickly.”

He additionally thanked political leaders and supporters who “understood our ache and spoke on our behalf”.

He additionally raised questions on why the stampede occurred solely in Karur, including that the “fact will come out” quickly. “We went to marketing campaign for about 5 districts prior to now. Nothing like this occurred. However why is it occurring in Karur alone? Folks know all the reality and individuals are watching it. When Karur individuals began telling the reality, I felt like God got here down right here to inform the reality. Quickly, all the reality will come out.”

Vijay ended his speech saying that the TVK’s political journey will proceed and develop stronger.

TVK functionaries, social media customers arrested

The 2 arrested TVK functionaries had been recognized as VP Mathiazhagan, Karur west district secretary of TVK, and Masi Pavunraj, the occasion’s Karur Central city district secretary.

Police additionally arrested three social media customers and a journalist and YouTuber for allegedly spreading misinformation surrounding the lethal stampede.

The three social media customers had been recognized as Sagayam (38), Sivaneshwaran (36) and Sharath Kumar (32). Higher Chennai police have additionally registered FIR towards 25 social media accounts for allegedly spreading misinformation towards the state authorities and police division.

Higher Chennai cybercrime police additionally arrested journalist-YouTuber Felix Gerald for allegedly propagating disinformation concerning the stampede in one in all his movies.

Quickly after the stampede, by which 41 individuals died of asphyxiation, Karur police had registered an FIR towards Mathiazhagan, basic secretary of TVK N. Anand and deputy basic secretary of TVK Nirmal Kumar below sections 105 (punishment for culpable murder not amounting to homicide), 110 (try to commit culpable murder), 125 (acts of rashness or negligence endangering human life), and 223 (disobedience to an order issued by a public authority) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Part 3 of Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Injury and Loss) Act.

Within the FIR, police had said that the deliberate delay attributable to the TVK was one of many causes for the tragedy.

“Vijay’s marketing campaign automobile halted amidst the large crowd of occasion staff at a number of areas and a deliberate delay was brought about for a short while,”the FIR learn.

The FIR additionally mentioned that the cadres climbing atop the bushes and tin roofs contributed to the stampede. “Cadres climbed tin roofs and tree branches and so they fell on individuals standing beneath. Whereas many choked, some had been injured within the incident,”it mentioned.

Vijay performed a roadshow with out permission from the police, the FIR additional claimed. “There have been a number of halts by the marketing campaign automobile earlier than reaching the spot. It turned out to be a roadshow of the chief, for which no permission was given. This worsened the group management scenario,” it learn.

(Edited by Gitanjali Das)