Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay handing over an appointment order to a family member of one of the victims of the stampede at the District Collectorate in Karur on Friday.

| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In his first visit to Karur after the tragic stampede that claimed 41 lives during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally held at Velusamypuram on September 27, 2025, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday handed over appointment orders for government jobs to 31 eligible members of the family members of the stampede victims on compassionate grounds.Mr. Vijay spent about 45 minutes with them and enquired them about their health and well-being. The atmosphere was sombre when the grim looking Chief Minister met the relatives of the victims at the Collectorate. He appeared deeply emotional and broke down when interacting with the families of the victims. They also broke down and wept as he consoled them while handing over the appointment orders. He told them that he would be always with them.B. Anandajothi of Pugalur, M. Nivetha of Sengunthapuram, S. Kalaiselvi, Sanapiratti in Karur district, and A. Jothi of Salem were among those who were given appointments as government servants. They were appointed junior assistants in departments including Revenue, Rural Development, School Education, Police, Registration, and Town Panchayats.“No amount of money will bring back my husband. But the government job will support me immensely throughout my life. It makes me happy,” said Ms. Jothi, who lost her husband Anand in the stampede.S. Prabakar of Uppidamangalam, who was appointed as a junior assistant in the Department of Registration, said Mr. Vijay had kept his promise of taking care of the family members of the stampede victims. Mr. Vijay broke down when he handed over the appointment orders, he said.The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Evervan Kothari Footwear manufacturing unit at Manavasi near Krishnarayapuram.Ministers Aadhav Arjuna and K.A. Sengottaiyan, Chief Secretary M. Saikumar, Industries Secretary S. Vijaykumar, Collector C. Muthukumaran, and senior officials were present. Published - July 11, 2026 12:42 am IST