Karur stampede: Vijay speaks to kin of victims via video calls

Chennai: Over a week after 41 people died in a stampede in a rally addressed by him, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has begun reaching out to families of the victims via video calls. Sources in TVK told DH that Vijay spoke to families of about five victims on Monday and Tuesday and will get in touch with the remaining over a period of time.

A team from Vijay’s inner circle is visiting families of the victims in Karur and neighbouring districts, helping them connect with the actor-politician over the phone. Family members of the victims also confirmed to DH that they did speak to Vijay over a video call.

“He has begun reaching out. The calls lasted between 10 minutes to 20 minutes. Vijay patiently listened to the sorrows of the families and promised them help. He also told them that he intends to meet them in person very soon,” a source in TVK said.

Vijay also told the families that he himself was "devastated" after the incident and promised them to "bounce back" with "renewed vigour."

"This is an exercise he will complete in a few days. He will travel to Karur to meet the families one by one," the source added.

The actor has already announced a solatium of Rs 20 lakh each to the families of the victims. The source said the amount will either be handed over as a cheque or electronically transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

One of the first calls that Vijay made was to K Sathivel, who lost his wife, Priyadarshini, and daughter Dharanika in the incident. Sakthivel said Vijay’s team told them not to click pictures or record videos of the actor speaking to them.

The development comes amid Vijay’s core team members, such as Bussy Anand and C T R Nirmal Kumar, approaching the Supreme Court seeking anticipatory bail.

On September 30, Vijay absolved himself and his party of responsibility for the stampede that killed 41 people in Karur, saying he did nothing wrong other than speaking to people from the designated point. He also alleged a conspiracy behind the stampede.