Chennai, Sept 29 – Security has been tightened outside actor-turned-politician Vijay’s residence in Neelankarai, Chennai, after police received a bomb threat call on Sunday, just days after a stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur left 41 people dead.
A bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs were deployed at Vijay’s home following the threat, though authorities have not confirmed any explosives were found.
The tragic Karur incident, which occurred on September 27 during Vijay’s campaign event, claimed the lives of 18 women, 13 men, and five children each. Over a dozen people were hospitalized with injuries.
Vijay Announces Financial Assistance
Vijay announced ₹20 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased victim and ₹2 lakh for the injured, stating on X (formerly Twitter):
“This amount is, of course, not significant in the face of such a loss. Still, at this moment, it is my duty as one who belongs to your family to stand by you with a heavy heart.”
CM Stalin Urges Restraint, TVK Demands CBI Probe
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin appealed to the public not to spread disinformation on social media about the Karur tragedy, stressing that the victims belonged to all Tamils “irrespective of party affiliations.”
He announced that a retired judge-led panel will frame guidelines for public rallies to prevent future tragedies.
Meanwhile, TVK has petitioned the Madras High Court to transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging partisan behavior by the state police.
The plea, filed by Aadhav Arjuna, General Secretary of TVK’s Election Campaign Management, accused the authorities of providing inadequate venues, cutting power supply at rallies, and allowing miscreants to infiltrate the Karur event, where they allegedly pelted stones and slippers at Vijay and the crowd.