Page 11 - Tamil Nadu

Karur stampede: Vijay's rally tragedy puts star power under the spotlight

Vijay's political gatherings have been drawing huge crowds in recent months. But immediately after the tragedy, the actor took a special flight back to Chennai

Residents cite crowd surge, poor planning as causes of Karur rally tragedy

Many factors including crowd swelling from the morning could have contributed to the stampede that claimed 40 lives at actor-politician Vijay's rally here, residents who witnessed the event said. Imagine people gathering at a specific location steadily for nearly 12 hours and not vacating the spot where they could not quench their thirst or have the luxury of even elbow space to move, they observed. To further complicate the situation, pregnant women and young parents accompanied by their kids, too, descended at Velusamypuram since 7 am on September 27, says a resident who has been residing close to the venue for nearly six decades. Apart from her, few others who had witnessed the stampede and police lathi charge, from close quarters, claim that a combination of factors could have led to the tragic death of 40 persons due to stampede. The people, mostly fans, started arriving at the venue from 7 am to 7 pm and scores of people on two-wheelers accompanied the campaign vehicle of Vij

Nearly 500 police personnel were deployed for Vijay''s rally in Karur: ADGP

Tamil Nadu ADGP (Law and Order) S Davidson Devasirvatham on Sunday said nearly 500 police personnel were deployed for Actor-Politician Vijay's Karur rally where a stampede claimed lives of 40 people. Referring to the findings of the preliminary investigation, he denied the claims of a section that there was a stone pelting during the rally. Briefing reporters accompanied by District Collector M Thangavel, the top police officer, said, "In the first petition presented by the TVK on September 23, they asked for the Lighthouse-Roundabout junction for their leader to deliver the address. But, it was rejected as it is a high risk place and if there is a dense crowd, it will be difficult to conduct a meeting," he said. Again, TVK had petitioned asking for permission in the Roundabout or Uzhavar Sandhai and it was rejected as it is a 'narrow area' and cannot accommodate dense crowd, he said. Police department suggested a place where another public meeting was conducted by the Leader of ..

Karur rally tragedy a lesson for people, says Kerala PCC Chief Sunny Joseph

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Chief Sunny Joseph on Sunday said the stampede tragedy in the political rally organised by TVK chief Vijay in Karur is a lesson to both people and politicians. As many as 40 people including women and children had been killed in the fatal rally organised by the actor-turned-politician in Karur in neighbouring Tamil Nadu on Saturday night. When reporters asked about the shocking incident, Joseph said it was an incident which make people realise about the strength of the experience of political workers and their connection with common people. "The pain is so deep. But, there are some lessons we learn even amidst that pain. People and others should realise this. It is a lesson to the political workers as well," the KPCC Chief added. The senior leader's remarks came amidst mounting criricism against TVK chief Vijay over the tragedy.

TVK cadres shell-shocked over TN stampede tragedy, toll mounts to 40

The stampede leading to the tragic death of 40 people, including nine children in Karur's Veluchamypuram has left the members of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party led by actor-politician Vijay shell-shocked. The party came under sharp criticism from several quarters for the poor arrangement at the week-end political rally where the crowd continued to swell as Vijay's arrival from Namakkal district got delayed by many hours. And when he finally arrived at the venue at around 7 pm the tragedy was awaiting to unfold. Though former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami blamed the police and administration for their inability to defuse the stampede and avert the tragedy through proper arrangement, police claimed that the situation went out of control as several thousands of persons far beyond the expected numbers gathered to see the actor. Mounds of shoes and chappals, crushed water bottles, torn party flags, pieces of clothes, broken poles, shreds of paper ...

Karur stampede: What went wrong at actor Vijay's rally that left 39 dead?

Thirty-nine people, including women and children, were killed and at least 65 injured in a stampede at Vijay's Karur rally, raising concerns over planning and safety at political events

Shoes, poles: Karur's tell tale signs of celebration turning into mourning

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. As early morning walkers and people who ventured out to buy milk and essentials crossed the venue of the mega rally --an arterial road-- addressed by TVK chief Vijay, they could not make sense of what had happened on the previous night. Several people, who went to sleep early or did not listen to news were shocked that as many as 38 people were killed and dozens injured. While some videographers were filming the spot of the stampede, now barricaded by 'Police-Do Not Cross' kind of lengthy tapes and blocked to public, groups of elderly men enquired with photo-journalists present there in disbelief about the stampede. While a TVK flag still flutters atop a highrise pole at the spot and oversized-speaker boxes and mega lights lying unattended amid a huge pile of torn party publicity material like posters, TVK

TN stampede toll hits 38, crowd surged due to Vijay's delayed arrival: DGP

The toll from the stampede at actor Vijay's public rally in Karur has risen to 38, Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkataraman said on Sunday. 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, he told reporters here. "An unfortunate incident happened; a regrettable one. As per latest information, 38 have persons have died. They are 12 men, 16 women and 10 children," he said in an early morning briefing. He further said there was a crowd surge after the official Twitter handle of Vijay's TVK party mentioned that he would arrive at the meeting venue by 12 noon. "Permission (for the meeting) was sought for between 3 pm-10 pm. The TVK Twitter account said he will come at 12 and crowd started coming in from 11 AM. He came at 7.40 PM. The people lacked sufficient food water under the hot sun." "Our intention is not to blame anyone, but we are just stating the facts," the Head of Polic

CM Stalin meets injured, pays tribute after 38 die at Karur stampede

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the victims

TVK Vijay rally stampede updates: TN DGP in-charge says 38 people have died so far

TVK Vijay rally stampede updates: Several people fainted during the rush at the venue and were immediately taken to nearby hospitals in ambulances

TVK chief Vijay's rally stampede kills 38: How the incident unfolded

The incident occurred about 400 km from Chennai during a massive gathering addressed by Vijay, the chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam

Tamil Nadu to retain Waqf Board structure till SC verdict: Minister Nasar

Minister for Minorities and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare, S M Nasar, on Saturday asserted that the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board will not be reconstituted till such time the Supreme Court pronounces its final judgment on the challenge to the Waqf law amendment. Since the Waqf Amendment Act related petitions are pending before the Supreme Court, "till such time the final verdict is pronounced, the State Waqf Board will not be reconstituted as per the Waqf Amendment Act, which was hastily enforced by the Union government," Nasar said here in an official release. The minister said the DMK government continuously opposed tampering with the Waqf law and the state government also went to the Supreme Court challenging the amendment and the top court has passed an interim order on September 15, 2025 staying select provisions of the Waqf Amendment Act. According to the Centre, the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Act, 2025, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 aims t

Relux Electric and Tamil Nadu Green Energy to set up EV charging points

Relux Electric Pvt Ltd, an electric vehicle charging infrastructure provider, has joined hands with the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Ltd to set up about 500 EV charging stations across the State. As part of the association, the two entities would conduct a feasibility study to identify land across Tamil Nadu for establishing the charging stations. "This initiative aligns with the vision of Tamil Nadu to expand EV infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner transportation," a press release from Relux Electric Pvt Ltd said on Wednesday. Currently, Tamil Nadu has around 1,300 EV charging stations and it is developing a digital map to help users locate nearby charging points. Relux Electric Pvt Ltd Managing Director Karthikeyan S said, "This collaboration between the State and Relux comes at the right time to accelerate EV adoption in TN." "It will be a significant step towards transforming Tamil Nadu into an electric mobility hub, and will open up opportunitie

Reliance Consumer to invest ₹1,156 cr for manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu

This facility will span 60 acres and focus on multi-product manufacturing, from regional snacks to biscuits, spices to atta, edible oil and much more

MDL, Guidance Tamil Nadu partner to explore greenfield shipyard development

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding with Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state's nodal agency for investment promotion and facilitation, to explore the possibility of developing a world-class greenfield shipyard on India's eastern coast, the defence ministry said on Tuesday. The MoU was signed on September 19 under the framework of the government of India's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has signed an MoU with Guidance Tamil Nadu to explore the development of a world-class greenfield shipyard on India's eastern coast, the ministry said in a statement. The MoU was formally signed and exchanged between Biju George, Director (Shipbuilding), MDL, and Darez Ahamed, Managing Director and CEO, Guidance Tamil Nadu, during a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) at Bhavnagar, Gujarat. The event was graced by Union

SBI expands in Tamil Nadu with 14 branches, rural camps and CSR push

SBI chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty inaugurated 14 branches, rural camps and CSR initiatives in Tamil Nadu, reinforcing the bank's focus on financial inclusion and community support

Tiruppur weaves a new synthetic future, eyes ₹25,000 cr exports by 2030

The textile hub embraces man-made fibres, aiming for ₹25,000 crore worth of exports by 2030, even as it struggles with ecosystem gaps and fierce competition. Shine Jacob's ground report

Tamil Nadu inks ₹30,000 cr shipyard projects to create 55,000 jobs

Tamil Nadu signs MoUs with Cochin Shipyard and Mazagon Dock for Rs 30,000 crore projects in Thoothukudi, boosting shipbuilding, job creation and industrial revival in the south

TN secures investments worth ₹30,000 cr in shipbuilding sector: TRB Rajaa

Tamil Nadu has attracted investments worth Rs 30,000 crore to set up two shipyards in Tuticorin district, a move expected to see creation of around 55,000 jobs, Minister for Industries TRB Rajaa said on Saturday. The Minister recalled Chief Minister M K Stalin's comments at the TN Rising-Tuticorin conclave in August, where he pledged to esablsih a company to promote shipbuilding sector in the state. Following the announcement, State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) and V O Chidambaranar Port Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September, Rajaa said in a social media post on Saturday. "Today (September 20), a historic milestone has been achieved with the signing of two Ultra Mega MoUs to establish two world-class Greenfield commercial shipyards in Tamil Nadu, with an investment of Rs 30,000 crore and generating employment for 55,000 people," the DMK leader said. As per the first MoU, Cochin Shipyard Ltd will invest Rs 15,000 crore to set up a ...

Tamil Nadu CM inaugurates Equinix's ₹574 crore AI-ready data centre

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ready data centre established at an outlay of Rs 574 crore by Equinix India, has been formally inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. With the establishment of the data centre at State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) complex in Siruseri, the State government-backed investment promotion agency Guidance, in a social media post on Friday, said the launch of the Centre is powering Tamil Nadu's rise as India's digital hub. "Tamil Nadu: Where Digital Growth Meets Social Responsibility. Hon'ble Chief Minister M K Stalin inaugurated Equinix's Rs 574 crore data centre at SIPCOT, Siruseri, powering Tamil Nadu's rise as India's digital hub," Guidance said. On the occasion, Equinix India Managing Director Manoj Paul contributed Rs 9 crore from the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund, reinforcing their commitment to the State's growth, it added. According to a compan