Jayalalithaa relief for kin of supporters who died after verdict

Expressing her pain at the reports of suicides after her conviction, she announced a solatium of Rs 3 lakh each to the families of 193 people and a relief of Rs 50,000 each for three partymen who were fighting for their lives at a hospital. She also wished them speedy recovery and thanked those who were praying for her early acquittal in the case. A statement issued by Jayalalithaa Sunday also appealed to the cadres to not indulge in any violent activities and suicide attempts.

While the statement from Jayalalithaa claimed a death toll of 193, of these 139 deaths were due to cardiac arrests. Official sources said many deaths due to cardiac arrests were attributed to Jayalalithaa’s imprisonment, as they were all party sympathisers or local leaders from different parts of Tamil Nadu. Maximum number of deaths had been reported from Virudhu Nagar, Karur, Tiruvannamalai, Pudukottai, Dindigul, Erode, Thanjavur and Salem. According to the AIADMK statement, there were 17 self-immolations after her conviction while 20 hanged to death. Nine people took their lives by taking poison.

According to police officers, the total toll of 193 may be a matter of dispute as they are still verifying the reasons of death.

Rajnikanth, Maneka support Jaya

Actor Rajnikanth Sunday said he was ‘glad’ to see J Jayalalithaa back at her Poes Garden residence after being granted bail in a graft case.

“I am very glad to have you back at Poes Garden,” he said in a letter to her. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi also wrote to her, hoping to see her “formally back at the helm of administration again.” PTI