CM Vijay Karur Visit: Memorial Announced for Stampede Victims, Jobs Provided

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay arrived in Karur today for a significant visit, marking his first trip to the region since assuming office. This visit holds deep emotional and political weight as Karur was the site of a tragic stampede during the election campaign that resulted in the loss of 41 lives. The Chief Minister's arrival was marked by a massive 10 KM long roadshow, where he engaged with the public before heading to the official ceremony at the Atlas Ground.

Support for Victims and Industrial Growth

During his visit, Chief Minister Vijay took a decisive step toward providing relief to the families affected by the Karur tragedy. He personally handed over government job appointment letters to 32 family members of those who lost their lives in the stampede. This gesture was part of a broader commitment to support the grieving families through compassionate grounds. In addition to the welfare measures, the Chief Minister also focused on the economic development of the region, while he laid the foundation stone for a proposed non-leather unit, a project with an estimated cost of 1700 crore. This industrial unit is expected to boost local employment and infrastructure in Karur.

Emotional Address at Atlas Ground

Addressing a massive public gathering at the Atlas Ground after distributing the appointment letters, CM Vijay became visibly emotional. He reflected on the pain of the tragedy, stating that no amount of success in life can erase the sorrow of losing innocent lives. He remarked that no matter how high a person reaches in life, certain pains and wounds of the heart can never be forgotten. He specifically mentioned that the Karur incident is the one that has affected him most deeply among all his life experiences.

Questions on Police Conduct and Warnings

The Chief Minister raised serious concerns regarding the events leading up to the tragedy, while he explained that his statewide Janata Sammelan program was designed for direct communication with the people to understand their concerns. He alleged a disparity in police warnings, noting that the police had previously advised him to cancel a program in Perambalur due to crowd concerns. However, despite the massive turnout in Karur, no such warning or advice was provided by the authorities before the event. He questioned why the Karur police didn't inform them if they felt the crowd would be difficult to manage. He stated that after the meeting in Namakkal, as they were heading to Karur, the police had every right to cancel the meeting if safety was at risk, but instead, they led them to the venue. He expressed that he had placed full trust in the police officers that day and even thanked them, never imagining such a tragedy would occur.

Allegations of Conspiracy and Memorial Announcement

CM Vijay questioned the responsibility and the orders given during the incident, asking if adequate police protection was provided for such a large gathering. He spoke about the personal toll the incident took on him, mentioning how children used to call him Vijay Uncle with a smile when they saw him on TV. He lamented the loss of those innocent children whom he equated to God. He also addressed the criticism he faced, where people mocked him and accused him of running away and hiding despite his own state of mourning. To ensure that the tragedy is never forgotten and to prevent the politicization of such events, the CM announced that a memorial would be built in Karur by the TVK. He stated that this memorial would serve to educate future generations about the conspiracies and plots hatched against them, ensuring that no one thinks of such political conspiracies again.