Overview

• Officials report 39 dead, including children, with dozens hospitalised after crowd crush at Vijay’s TVK rally in Karur.
• Police say organisers sought space for about 10,000 but roughly 27,000 arrived, with hours-long waits, scarce water, and a power cut cited as factors.
• Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a judicial commission led by Justice Aruna Jagadish, relief payments for victims, and FIRs against two TVK-linked leaders.
• TVK alleges a criminal conspiracy and has petitioned the Madras High Court for an independent or CBI probe; Vijay expressed grief and announced additional assistance for victims.
• An ambulance operator claims TVK workers attacked vehicles during rescue, delaying aid, while separate protests in Bareilly and nearby districts prompted an internet ban and deployment of about 8,000 personnel, with police terming the violence pre-planned.