Karur rally stampede: PM Modi announces ex-gratia for families of deceased

Karur (Tamil Nadu): Following the tragic stampede at a political rally addressed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased. Those injured in the incident will be provided Rs 50,000.

Earlier today, Vijay announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for families who lost their loved ones. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday announced compensation for the victims, stating that Rs 10 lakh would be given to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to those injured.

Stalin also ordered the formation of a one-member Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report to the state government.

The fatalities in the stampede here on Saturday have climbed to 39, and 67 persons are still undergoing treatment as in-patients, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary P Senthil Kumar said on Sunday.

"In this unfortunate incident, 39 deaths have been reported--17 women, 13 men, 4 male children, and 5 female children. The postmortem has been done for 30 (out of 39 deceased) and the bodies have been handed over to their families," Senthil Kumar told reporters after visiting the patients.

On the admissions, he said 26 people were treated in the OPD and were discharged. And of the 67 admitted as in-patients, 2 were critical. All others were stable. One of the patients was shifted to the Madurai GH for further treatment.