Should the Tamil Nadu Government Increase the Compensation for Karur Stampede Victims' Families?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 39 fatalities reported from the stampede.
- Thirumavalavan urges compensation increase to Rs 50 lakh.
- Need for improved crowd safety measures emphasized.
- Judicial inquiry initiated to investigate the incident.
- Tragedy raises urgent questions about emergency response measures.
Karur, Sep 28 (NationPress) Thol. Thirumavalavan, a leader of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Member of Parliament, has urged the Tamil Nadu government to enhance the compensation for the families of those who tragically lost their lives in the catastrophic stampede during the rally of TVK president and actor Vijay in Karur.
The death toll has reached 39, with many others suffering from serious injuries in hospitals.
This heartbreaking event occurred after Vijay concluded his speech and exited the venue. As the large crowd began to disperse, severe congestion led to chaos, resulting in many being trapped and crushed. Over 50 individuals fainted, prompting emergency services to transport them to the Karur Government Medical College Hospital and nearby private healthcare facilities. Among the victims are 17 women, 13 men, and 9 children; several remain in intensive care.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin visited Karur shortly after midnight to console grieving families and meet with the injured, announcing Rs 10 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those seriously injured.
Specialized medical teams and senior officials have been dispatched to coordinate emergency care. However, Thirumavalavan remarked that the announced compensation is insufficient considering the enormity of the tragedy. “The devastating incident in Karur during Vijay’s campaign has claimed the lives of over 30 individuals, including women and children, who suffered from crushing and suffocation,” he stated.
He further called on the Chief Minister to increase the compensation from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh per family, asserting that adequate compensation should also be provided for the injured.
Thirumavalavan also appealed for emergency measures akin to those during wartime to ensure that critically injured individuals receive optimal medical treatment.
“My heartfelt condolences and sympathy go out to the families in mourning,” he added.
The Karur stampede has elicited widespread shock and sorrow throughout Tamil Nadu, with leaders from various parties emphasizing the need for improved crowd safety and management at political gatherings. The state government has initiated a judicial inquiry to investigate the circumstances and failures that led to this disaster and to propose measures to avert such incidents in the future.