A significant security incident marred the build-up to the highly anticipated public meeting of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), in Puducherry on December 9. Security personnel at the Uppalam Expo Ground venue intercepted and detained a man who was found carrying a pistol while attempting to gain entry. The incident triggered immediate concern, as the event was already being held under exceptionally stringent security measures following the tragic stampede at a previous TVK rally in Karur that claimed 41 lives.
Detained Individual Identified as Party Official's Guard
Following his detention by the police, the man was identified as David, a resident of Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu. Crucially, David was reportedly working as a personal security guard for Prabhu, the Sivagangai District Secretary of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam party. While initial reports indicated that the weapon was licensed, police officials have confirmed that the individual was nevertheless detained for carrying the firearm into a high-security public meeting venue, which constitutes a breach of the strict safety protocols put in place for the event. An immediate investigation has been launched to clarify the circumstances under which the guard was carrying the weapon and whether all related regulations were violated.
Rally Held Under Unprecedented Safety Restrictions
The security breach underscores the intense crowd control challenges facing the TVK and authorities, particularly as this meeting was the actor-politician's first major open-ground rally since the Karur tragedy. To prevent a repeat of that disaster, the Puducherry Police had issued a detailed advisory, limiting attendance strictly to 5,000 people who possessed valid QR-coded passes issued by the party. Furthermore, residents of neighbouring Tamil Nadu were explicitly prohibited from entering the Union Territory specifically for the event, and entry was denied to vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. Despite these precautions, which also included the deployment of numerous CCTV cameras and a large police contingent, TVK cadres were seen jumping barricades while attempting to enter the venue, highlighting the continuing difficulty in managing the superstar's massive fan base.
Focus Remains on Public Address
Despite the security scare, the public meeting proceeded as scheduled, with actor Vijay expected to address his supporters from a specially arranged campaign vehicle. The swift action by the security team in detaining the armed individual ensured that the event's safety was maintained. The incident, however, will undoubtedly amplify the scrutiny on the security arrangements for all future political gatherings hosted by the TVK, emphasizing the delicate balance between political outreach and ensuring public safety in large-scale rallies.
