In 1st visit to Karur as CM, Vijay to hand over jobs to stampede victim families

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will make his first visit to Karur on Thursday since assuming office, combining a major rehabilitation initiative for families affected by the September 2025 stampede that killed 41 people. The BJP, however, has accused the TVK government of politicising relief measures.

The Chief Minister is scheduled to hand over government appointment orders on compassionate grounds to 32 members of families who lost relatives in the stampede that occurred during a TVK election campaign event.

One eligible member from each affected family will receive a government job as part of the state's rehabilitation package.

Vijay is also expected to personally interact with the families at the District Collectorate before addressing a public gathering in the district.

During the visit, the Chief Minister will also lay the foundation stone for a footwear manufacturing facility. The Rs 1,700-crore project is expected to generate around 13,500 jobs and is being projected as a major boost to industrial growth and employment in the region.

BJP QUESTIONS VISIT

The visit has, however, triggered a political confrontation. State BJP president Nainar Nagendran welcomed the decision to provide government jobs but alleged that the move was politically motivated.

"It is welcoming to see the Chief Minister going to Karur, but it would have been more appreciated had he visited the district immediately after the tragedy to express his condolences," Nagendran said.

"There is nothing wrong with giving government jobs to the victims' families, but had he been there after the incident, it would have meant much more. This is completely based on politics," he added, while also referring to the resignation of the Karur MLA.

TIGHT SECURITY IN KARUR

Ahead of the Chief Minister's visit, security has been tightened across Karur, with more than 5,000 police personnel deployed for crowd management, traffic regulation and emergency response.

Attendance at the main public event has been capped at around 5,000 people, with entry restricted through QR code-based passes.

Officials have also reviewed emergency exits, medical preparedness and crowd-control arrangements in light of last year's tragedy.

- Ends