Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the families of five people who died at the IAF airshow in Chennai, significantly less than the ₹10 lakh granted for the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy victims. The disparity in compensations has sparked criticism, with many questioning the DMK government’s handling of the airshow and the inconsistency in relief measures.
Despite the massive turnout and prior arrangements, the event’s overcrowding led to chaos, putting the administration under fire for gross mismanagement. Stalin expressed condolences but has faced increasing scrutiny over the incident.
Mismanaged Air Show
The IAF airshow at Chennai’s Marina Beach left 5 people dead, and several hospitalised at the end of the event on 6 October 2024. The DMK government has come under fire for mismanaging the event grossly. Several DMK members even tried to pin the blame on the IAF for the chaos.
In what seems to look like a pacifying measure, Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh to the deceased’s next of kin.
On his X handle, he condoled the deaths and wrote, “It is extremely painful and sad that five people died due to heatstroke and medical reasons while attending the Air Force adventure program in Chennai. Apart from conveying my deepest condolences to the bereaved family, I have also ordered Rs 5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s General Relief Fund.”
சென்னையில் விமானப்படை சாகச நிகழ்ச்சியைக் காணவந்து, கடும் வெயில் மற்றும் மருத்துவக் காரணங்களால் ஐவர் உயிரிழந்தது மிகுந்த வேதனையையும் வருத்தத்தையும் அளிக்கிறது.
உற்றாரை இழந்து வாடும் அவர்தம் குடும்பத்தினருக்கு எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கலைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்வதோடு, முதலமைச்சரின் பொது நிவாரண… pic.twitter.com/2gUQxz0cKs
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 7, 2024
He explained the preparations for the air show, noting that facilities and administrative support were arranged according to the requirements and requests of the Indian Air Force. “Arrangements were made to conduct the IAF Air Show in Chennai Marina. Facilities and administration assistance was provided as per IAF requirements and demand. Arrangements were made to provide one great event to people of Chennai with the coordination of Fire and Rescue Department, Police Department, Chennai Corporation and Health Department,” he said.
The airshow, organized to celebrate the Indian Air Force’s 92nd anniversary, brought Marina Beach to life earlier in the day, drawing a record-breaking 15 lakh spectators—the largest audience ever for an airshow, setting a new record in the Limca Book of Records. Stalin also mentioned that, despite efforts to avoid a stampede, the unexpected overcrowding created challenges for the public. “Because of this stampede was averted. Due to unexpected overcrowding, public suffered after the event in reaching their vehicles and accessing public transport. Next time, we would focus more and arrangements would be done when similar big events are planned,” he added.
₹10 Lakh For Hooch Tragedy
In June 2024, with the unfolding of the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi which killed at least 65 people and several others losing eyesight, Chief Minister Stalin announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for each family who lost a loved one and ₹50,000 for those undergoing treatment.
Additionally, the Madras High Court questioned the State government and urged it to reconsider the decision to give ₹10 lakh as compensation to families of victims who lost their lives in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq expressed reservations about the amount being too high and questioned the rationale behind such compensation.
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