EPS addressing reporters (ANI)
NEW DELHI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday questioned the role of the police and the state government in the deadly stampede that claimed 39 lives during a political event organised by actor and TVK chief Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu. After meeting with the victims and families of deceased, speaking to reporters, Palaniswami said, “Yesterday, 39 people lost their lives. We were informed that the stampede occurred because of an electric current. Such a campaign was previously held in four districts, and the police should have provided adequate security. I don’t think that was done,” as quoted by ANI. EPS criticised what he described as a selective approach by the police in providing security at political events, saying, “Even in our AIADMK meeting, no proper security was provided. In DMK meetings, thousands of police are deployed for security. Police should not be biased in favour of the ruling party over opposition parties in providing security.”Pointing to the responsibilities of the organisers as well, he said the party leader concerned should have ensured proper safety protocols were in place. “If full security had been given, such a stampede would not have happened. The political party leader should have also examined and taken adequate steps to make sure no such incident happens,” he added. He also questioned the preparedness and functioning of the state administration during the event. “If the Government and police had worked well, such lives would not have been lost,” Palaniswami said, according to the agency.The AIADMK leader expressed scepticism over the official inquiry. While a one-man commission has been appointed to probe the incident, he pointed out that several doubts remain. “In the midst of the campaign yesterday, Vijay pointed out that an ambulance had arrived in between. It raises many doubts,” he said.Calling the incident unprecedented in scale, he added, “I saw yesterday’s stampede was shocking, and such a huge stampede has never happened before in Tamil Nadu in a political campaign.”The stampede occurred during a TVK event on Saturday, reportedly due to overcrowding and panic at the venue. The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
