‘People waited for Vijay without even drinking water'; no lapse from our side, says ADGP 

CHENNAI: There was no security lapse in the rally held by Tamilagam Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and actor Vijay in Karur, said ADGP Davidson Devasirvatham, in charge of law and order in Tamil Nadu. While talking to the media, he said a police investigation will be conducted along with a judicial inquiry into yesterday's accident. All the details will come out through the investigation.

'People started coming from 10 am on Saturday. A political party’s rally was held at the same place earlier. 500 police personnel were deployed for security. TVK office bearers said that there would be 10,000 people. The police expected 15,000 to 20,000 people. Enough police personnel were deployed.

The police had arranged all the necessary security for the rally. It is estimated that 25,000 to 30,000 people arrived. The rally was held on a long road. People followed Vijay's vehicle and this led to a commotion. People moved forward without leaving the place, which also created a problem. It was initially announced that Vijay would arrive at 12 noon, but he came at 7.40 pm. People were standing there without even drinking water. An FIR has been registered in the incident and an investigation has started,' said the ADGP.

The official report is that 39 people have died in yesterday's tragedy. Of these, 17 are women. Four boys and five girls died. The bodies of 35 have been identified so far. 28 of them are natives of Karur. However, the actor leaving the venue soon after the stampede broke out, had stoked a controversy.