Chennai: Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister and senior DMK leader Durai Murugan on Saturday clarified that the state government will not make any “unnecessary arrest” of actor-politician and TVK chief Vijay in connection with the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives on September 27.
“If there is evidence, the government will do its duty. Generally, each party knows how many people will attend the meetings it organises. Parties should choose venues appropriate to their expected crowd,” Murugan said while addressing reporters.
Amid growing demands for changes in the conduct of political rallies, Murugan revealed that a special committee will be set up to frame new protocols. The panel will examine safety measures, crowd management, and venue selection to prevent future tragedies.
Defending the state administration, Murugan asserted, “How can we be responsible? We provided police protection, granted permission, set conditions and gave advice. So those who accuse us are simply politicians playing to the gallery.”
On Governor RN Ravi’s remarks over the incident, the minister launched a scathing attack: “RN Ravi is not the Governor of Tamil Nadu. He speaks like an Opposition leader, abandoning the dignity and decorum of the Governor’s office and lowering himself. We neither regard him as a Governor nor do we consider him worth speaking about.”
Meanwhile, cases have been filed against TVK leaders N Anand and Nirmal Kumar under multiple sections. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has pulled up Vijay for leaving the site after the incident and criticised the party’s lack of remorse.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by IG Asra Garg has begun probing the case, with all key documents shifted from Karur to Chennai. The court is also examining anticipatory bail pleas of TVK leaders and considering stricter norms for political gatherings in the state.
