Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay’s Neelankarai residence in Chennai was placed under heavy security on Sunday after police received an anonymous bomb threat, a day after the Karur rally of his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ended in a deadly stampede that killed 39 people and left more than 50 injured. Bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs were rushed to the residence, with CRPF and local police cordoning off the area, inspecting vehicles, and restricting access as precautionary measures.
The threat has come amid mounting political pressure following the Karur tragedy, where a massive turnout for Vijay’s campaign rally on Saturday evening spiraled out of control. Eyewitnesses said panic broke out as the actor’s convoy entered the venue, with little crowd control, no shade, and inadequate water facilities worsening the situation. Families, including women and children, were trapped in the crush, forcing hospitals in Karur and neighbouring districts to scramble emergency teams to treat the injured.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who visited Karur on Sunday, expressed “deep sorrow,” ordered a judicial inquiry under a retired judge, and announced compensation for the families of the victims. Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami accused the government of negligence, saying proper crowd management and police protection could have prevented the tragedy. Police have since registered a case against senior TVK functionaries for failing to adhere to rally regulations and safety norms.
Vijay, who launched his party earlier this year, said he was “shattered” by the loss of lives and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. Even as political blame games intensify, the bomb threat at his Chennai home has further heightened the atmosphere of tension, with officials continuing to investigate its source. Security remains tight at his residence while inquiries into both the stampede and the threat move forward.
