Actor-politician Vijay reaches out to families of Karur stampede victims
Chennai / Karur (PTI): Actor-politician Vijay began reaching out to the families of the Karur stampede victims through WhatsApp video calls and assured them of his support.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party chief, who has been facing flak from certain sections for not visiting the affected families in person, had made the video calls on October 6 evening, one of the affected families said.
"He made the call to my son-in-law and expressed his heartfelt condolences. He conveyed his regret over the incident and said it should not have happened. Also, he assured the family of his support," he told reporters in Karur.
Speaking to another family, Vijay consoled the woman saying, "I am like your son."
A source in TVK said it was not clear if Vijay would visit Karur. "But he has asked the party members to reach out to the affected families," he said.
Though the TVK is yet to make an official statement on his WhatsApp video calls, atleast three families have confirmed that his empathetic talk since October 6 night continued today, as well.
A young woman, with whom Vijay spoke, was a sister of a victim who was among 41 persons who died in the stampede on September 27 at a political rally addressed by the TVK chief at Velusamypuram.
She said she could not blame the actor for the tragedy.
"My brother had gone to see Vijay, and he didn't return. The authorities could have deployed more police force to regulate the swelling crowd," she told media in Karur.
"He consoled me. He said he was like a brother to me. Vijay said he could not come due to the court case and that he would visit us after he obtained permission from the authorities," she added.
Her Mother, who identified herself as Sumathi, said that Vijay had conveyed his heartfelt condolences and said the demise was an "irreparable loss." He had told her that he would come in person to offer his condolences.
A five-member team from the TVK had gone to the houses of the bereaved families and connected them to Vijay. Each call lasted for a few minutes.
Responding to a question on the actor's efforts to reach out to the affected families, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan replied, "if Vijay is not guilty (of the tragic deaths), then he should have gone in person to offer condolences to the bereaved families. But he is afraid to step out because his own heart will scald him."
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
