[0:00]We have some disturbing news coming in from Tamil Nadu. At least 20 feared dead in TVK's rally in Karur. This after a stampede like situation occurred at a section of Vijay's overcrowded rally. In fact, some painted workers were immediately rushed to the nearby hospitals in ambulances. At overcrowded Karur rally, several DMK workers, TVK workers fainted and Vijay then halted his speech briefly. Let me straight away go across to my colleague Dharini who is joining us live right now for more on this. Dharini, what has happened?
[0:43]Well, a very shocking news coming to light from Karur district of Tamil Nadu. Our TVK chief Vijay participated in a political campaign in Karur district of Tamil Nadu this evening. His speech was around 8:30 PM. So after Vijay completed his speech, when he was trying to leave the spot, the people in the location, the crowd which had gathered in the location, they tried to get a closer look of Vijay. A stampede like situation occurred and now we are given to understand through sources that over 20 people are feared dead because of this stampede like situation. All of them, they are right now in the Karur Government Hospital, the bodies of the deceased, they are that are being kept in the Karur Government Hospital. So apart from those who are feared to be dead, almost 30 to 40 people they are said to be in a critical condition in the same Karur Government Hospital. So a very shocking news coming to light from Karur district of Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister MK Stalin has spoken to the district collector and we are also given to understand true sources that tomorrow morning our Chief Minister MK Stalin will be visiting Karur to meet the families of the deceased to express his condolences to the family families of the deceased. And also to meet those who are under treatment. So, you know, Vijay launched his political Yatra, statewide political Yatra, a two weeks back. He has so far traveled to seven districts of Tamil Nadu and in all those districts, people come in large numbers, lakhs of people. They come along with their families to get a glimpse of Mr. Vijay to participate in Vijay's Yatra. And there is always an overwhelming crowd wherever Vijay you know travels, wherever Vijay campaigns, there is always an overwhelming crowd. So far, the police department in Tamil Nadu, they've been able to manage the crowd. We haven't, you know, we did not come across any casualties so far, but unfortunately today in Karur district of Tamil Nadu, this situation turned completely upside down. 20 people are feared dead, over 20 people are feared dead and this count is only increasing minute after minute. Exactly what you are seeing happening, Dharini, it started with two feared dead and now the number has gone to 20. Every minute the number has been increasing. Stay on with us, Sarini, we have senior journalist R. Rajagopalan joining us on the broadcast. I'm also being joined by Syed Hafeez of the DMK. Good evening, thank you for speaking with us here on Times Now. Firstly, can you tell us, Mr. Hafeez, how is the situation like right now? We've seen a reaction coming in from the Chief Minister also, but what is the update that you have? The the scene looks very, very tragic there at uh Karur today. Uh the Chief Minister is monitoring the situation very closely. He have deputed two ministers and has instructed the ministers to be there as soon as possible. There are special medical teams that have been constituted to reach to Karur from neighboring districts to ensure that there is enough medical manpower. Uh and then uh uh the ADGP law and order is also been instructed to take care of for the the protection and the other things in the in the district. The local MLA, Mr. Senthil Balaji is also there on ground. It is really a very tragic incident, very unfortunate incident that has happened. Nearly uh 10 confirmed dead news and about uh around 20 being feared dead is something that's that's very, very, very, very sad, very, very sad day for the uh entire Tamil Nadu. So we have nothing much to say at this point of time. At this point of time, the government stands with the victim, the Chief Minister. Okay, Mr. Hafeez, you submit stands with the victims, everything possible is being done by the government's side, but uh can you tell us a little bit about the situation on the ground? I believe you have been in touch with people on the ground. What perhaps led to this because, you know, we are seeing this kind of crowd at Vijay's rally every Saturday. If I'm not wrong, this is the third Saturday in a row, what really went wrong? Do we have any sort of information? Oh, Anu, I think at this point of time I don't want to have a blame game or something, but in short what I say is that uh the this the the leader and the party has continuously flouted the guidelines given to them. In fact, provoking provoking the statements, giving provocative statements that should not meet the people. See anything that the government and the administration does is to protect the citizens and to the interest of the people. You cannot politicize everything for your your benefit and to get mileage out of it. Even when the court court has when the case was filed, the court condemned the activities and yeah, I know, asked the leader to ensure that the the guidelines given by the administration are being followed. But here what they believe is just bringing massive crowds is an electoral success and portray themselves as the biggest leader has led to the 20 lives, 20 precious lives with with kids, with kids, innocent kids being losing their life. It's really unfortunate because it's if there is lot more to talk, but I think this is not the time, this is not the time for politics. This is the time to be united and show solidarity with the victims. Well, absolutely, thank you very much, uh Mr. Hafeez, appreciate you speaking with us here on Times Now.
