Vijay meets families of stampede victims

A month after 41 people died during a stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur, actor and party president Vijay met the families of many of the victims.

The meeting was held at a private resort in Poonjeri, Mamallapuram near Chennai.

On Sunday, the party had arranged transport for the families from Karur to Mamallapuram, and they were accommodated at the private resort.

On Monday morning, Mr. Vijay held a meeting with them.

Some of the family members who The Hindu spoke to said Mr. Vijay met each family individually and offered his condolences. They said he apologized for not visiting them at their homes and assured them that he and his party would extend all possible support. The closed-door meeting lasted nearly three hours.

The decision to bring the family members of the victims to Mamallapuram to offer condolences was seen as a departure from the usual practice of political leaders visiting the homes of the bereaved. However, party sources cited “logistical constraints” and “security reasons” for Mr. Vijay’s decision not to visit Karur.