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Chennai: Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) has launched a new volunteer wing, ‘Thondaar Ani’, to ensure effective crowd management and public safety during its programs and campaigns.
The move follows the stampede in Karur on September 27, where 41 people were killed and over 60 injured during Vijay’s road show – one of the party’s biggest political rallies ever.
According to party sources, the tragedy highlighted the absence of a structured volunteer force capable of managing huge crowds, prompting the TVK to form Thunder Annie on the lines of the DMK and MDMK, both of which maintain trained internal teams to handle large public meetings.
The new wing will monitor crowd movement, set up security perimeters and coordinate with police and medical teams during all major events.
VA Ravikumar, IPS (ADGP, Retd), P. Ashokan (ASP, Retd), Sabibulla (former DSP), Thillainayagam (DSP, Retd), R. Sivalingam (DSP, Retd), R. Lakshminarayanan (DSP, retired), and R. Seven retired police officers, including Mathiyarasu (DSP, Retd.), have conducted training sessions for selected TVK officials.
The training covered crowd psychology, public safety protocols, coordination with law enforcement and emergency-response measures. Party insiders said the initiative is part of Vijay’s broader effort to professionalize the organizational structure of TVK ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
A senior leader said, “Vijay wants the party to be known for its discipline, organization and preparations. Thondar Ani will ensure that our events remain safe for the public while maintaining order and efficiency.”
Apart from the formation of Thondaar Ani, the TVK has also appointed office-bearers for its students, women and volunteer wings in 65 district units, indicating a wider grassroots expansion.
Recent party events across Tamil Nadu have drawn record-breaking crowds, underscoring the growing mass appeal of Vijay’s political movement – and the urgent need for a strong internal mechanism to manage such gatherings safely and responsibly.
–IANS