According to several media reports, a man was caught with a gun at a rally of Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay in Puducherry on Tuesday.
The incident has heightened tension in the area as it is the Tamil superstar’s first public rally since the Karur stampede that took place during one of his rallies in which 41 people were killed in a stampede.
According to the Puducherry police, the person with the weapon was nabbed at the Expo Ground in Uppalam. The weapon was seized and the subject was taken into custody.
According to an India Today report, the arrested person is David, who is the security officer of TVK district secretary Sivagangai Prabhu.
Tight security measures in Puducherry
Following the Karur stampede, the Puducherry authorities issued strict guidelines regarding security measures.
The Puducherry Police, led by Senior Superintendent of Police (Law & Order) R. Kalaivanan, granted permission for the event at the Expo Ground with attendance strictly limited to 5,000 people from the Union Territory.
Individuals carrying QR coded entry passes were allowed to enter the country.
It was clearly stated in the police advisory that people without a valid ID, along with children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with health problems, will not be able to participate in the rally.
Since the rally was strictly for the people of Puducherry, Vijay’s supporters from the neighboring districts of Tamil Nadu were asked not to attend the rally.
The TVK, in accordance with the police guidelines, also issued a nine-point directive to its own cadre, where it was also stated that no cadre from outside Puducherry would be allowed to enter the premises.
The guidelines also stated that welcome processions, celebratory activities, unauthorized banners and display of flex boards without permission will not be allowed as per the high court orders.
The party members were also instructed to maintain discipline during the event and never follow Vijay’s vehicle.
