Jaya moves meet close to sundown

CHENNAI: Facing flak from political rivals in the wake of four deaths at her campaign meetings in Cuddalore and Salem, chief minister and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa has changed the timings of her Trichy meeting to schedule it close to sundown on Saturday. She will arrive at the meeting venue at G Corner grounds around 5.30pm and the crowds of cadres, fans and followers would be allowed to gather at the venue around 3.30pm.

The CM is expected to reach Trichy International Airport in a chartered flight around 4.30pm and arrive through the VIP entrance.

After resting for about 20 minutes, she is expected to travel in her convoy to G Corner grounds, about 5km away . The meeting was earlier scheduled for 2.30 pm, said party sources.The crowd will gradually assemble two hours prior to the event from 3.30pm.

On Thursday, DMDK led by Vijayakanth moved the National Human Rights Commission seeking action against her for the deaths of her party sympathisers allegedly due to exposure to excessive heat and dehydration. The representation said two men had died of “sunstroke and a pos sible stampede“ at the CM's Salem meet ing on April 20. On April 11, two others, who had participated in her meeting in Cuddalore died later. Both meetings had been scheduled around 3pm with cadres gathering a good three to four hours ahead.