AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday said the death of 41 people at actor and TVK founder Vijay’s rally in Karur could have been averted, had the government taken precautionary measures.
Citing The Hindu’s Ground Zero report, ‘In Karur, where there was no way out’, published on Saturday, Mr. Palaniswami urged those “trying to hide the mistakes of the State government, which failed to ensure appropriate security arrangements, to read this article, realise the truth and speak accordingly”.
“The people expect the commission of inquiry to look into the confusion over the security arrangements,” he added.
Citing a first-person account from the report, Mr. Palaniswami said, “Why were more people allowed into the venue when there was a substantial delay that ran into several hours after the permitted time period? It is only fair that such questions are raised against the administration.”
Referring to another account, Mr. Palaniswami said, “Why were the organisers not asked about precautionary measures? It is only natural that there would be panic if there was a power cut. Did the Superintendent of Police call a meeting over the security arrangements for such events? Were requirements such as drinking water discussed? There is no information about that.”
