A year after Karur stampede at TVK rally, scars remain

…women and children, and leaving scores injured. It turned out to be one of the deadliest political rally tragedies in the country. A year later, the physical traces of the tragedy have faded, but not the trauma. “ I try to forget the horrific scenes that unfolded after the police lathi charged a section of the crowd. But it still haunts me ,” recalls R. Harish of Vadivel Nagar in Velusamypuram, an eyewitness. “People were gasping for breath, falling over each other. We did our best to pull out as many as possible,” he adds. Thirty-five-year-old P.…

…and hundreds of eye witnesses. It has also collected video footage and examined the call detail records. However, the charge sheet has not been filed yet, and no arrest has been made, leaving the families anxious. “ No money will get back to our loved ones. We want to know why it happened and who is responsible. We will be at peace when the perpetrators are punished ,” says C. Perumal (53), father of Kokila and Palaniammal. Endorsing him, B. Anandajothi of Viswanathapuri in Karur, who lost his two daughters, Sai Jeeva (4) and Sai Lakshana (9), says, “We told everything to the…

…the perpetrators are punished,” says C. Perumal (53), father of Kokila and Palaniammal. Endorsing him, B. Anandajothi of Viswanathapuri in Karur, who lost his two daughters, Sai Jeeva (4) and Sai Lakshana (9), says, “ We told everything to the investigating officers. Justice delayed is justice denied. But we have not lost hope in the CBI. We eagerly await justice. ” Opinion remains deeply divided on the circumstances and reasons that led to the tragedy. Police attributed it to a combination of factors — poor crowd management, inordinate delay in the arrival of the leader, narrow…