At least two persons died and 30 others sustained injuries in a stampede at Chennai’s Rajaji Hall, where the mortal remains of late Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M. Karunanidhi has been kept for public to pay homage. The chaos at the location forced police to resort to lathicharge.The incident came after the DMK working president MK Stalin alleged that the State government is trying to create chaos and appealed to masses to maintain peace and cooperate with the police to ensure that everyone gets to pay homage to ‘Kalaignar’.
“Those who are in power are trying to create chaos, but you have all shown the strength of the cadres. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace. Please clear the way, so that by 4 pm, procession can commence,” Stalin added.
The huge crowd at Rajaji Hall led to chaotic scenes after public breached barricades, entered the VIP area and even tried jumping the walls. DMK leaders, including Stalin appealed for peace. But ultimately, Karunanidhi’s body had to be moved inside, since the crowd just kept swelling.
