Karur stampede death toll rises to 41; Bomb threat reported at Vijay’s residence
Karur/Chennai: The death toll from the stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s campaign rally in Karur rose to 41 on Monday, with officials confirming the death of a 65-year-old woman, Suguna, at the Karur Government Medical College Hospital.
Among the deceased, 18 were women and 10 were children. The youngest victim was identified as two-year-old V. Guru Vishnu from Velusamypuram in Karur, while the oldest was a 60-year-old man. Most of the women were in their 30s, while the men who died were largely in their 20s and 30s. The bodies were handed over to families and transported to their native places in free hearse vehicles.
Tens of thousands of supporters had gathered at the rally on Saturday night amid sweltering heat. Tamil Nadu DGP G. Venkataraman said the tragedy was triggered by Vijay’s delayed arrival. He noted that the crowd, already waiting for hours without adequate food and water, surged forward after the TVK’s official Twitter handle announced the leader’s expected arrival at noon. “Our intention is not to blame anyone, but we are just stating the facts,” the DGP said.
Meanwhile, a bomb threat was reported on Monday at Vijay’s residence in Neelankarai along the East Coast Road in Chennai. Police said an anonymous caller warned of an explosive device at the property. The premises were immediately cordoned off, and a bomb disposal squad with sniffer dogs conducted a thorough search.
No explosive material has been recovered so far, and officials confirmed that an investigation is underway.
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Man jumps to death from 22nd floor of posh Noida society; depression suspected
Noida (PTI): A 37-year-old man allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the 22nd floor of a posh residential society in Sector 107 here, police said on Monday.
The incident took place on Sunday in Prateek Edifice Society under the jurisdiction of the Sector-39 police station. The deceased has been identified as Sajjal Mehrotra, a company director who lived in the society with his family.
"On Sunday afternoon, he jumped from the balcony of his flat on the 22nd floor," a police official said.
Family members and security guards rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, police said, adding that no suicide note has been found.
Prima facie, the deceased was suffering from depression, officials said, adding that other aspects of the case are being investigated.
The body has been sent for post-mortem and further legal formalities are underway.
Police said the man got married about 10 years ago and is survived by his wife and two children. No complaint has been received from the family in connection with the incident.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
