India
Two people died and several were injured in a stampede that ensued at Chennai's Rajaji Hall where DMK patriarch Karunanidhi's body is kept on display
In yet another tragic incident post DMK supremo Karunanidhi's death, two people died and several were injured in a stampede that ensued at Chennai's Rajaji Hall. Karunanidhi's body was kept on display for his supporters to pay their respects to the departed leader.
The incident occurred around 11.15 am when the police started letting people into the hall.
Police resorted to lathicharge after the sea of people became unruly. Scuffles broke out, many threw the barricades raised by police and total chaos was witnessed outside Rajaji Hall. According to media reports, Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin requested the crowd to maintain peace. "I am requesting every one of you to keep calm during the final procession. Only if you all are with us, the final procession will happen in time,” he said. Stalin also blamed the ruling government for the chaos claiming that TN CM Edappadi Palaniswamy deliberately lowered the security force.
Karunanidhi, who died at the age of 94, has been wrapped in tricolour and kept in a glass coffin. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already paid his respects to the departed leader. Karunanidhi's body will be taken from Rajaji Hall to his final resting place at Marina Beach. He will be buried near Anna Samadhi, the memorial of his mentor C N Annadurai.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.