Three people have reportedly died in Tamil Nadu upon hearing the news of deteriorating heath of their chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who passed away on December 5 after suffering a cardiac arrest. Two cases of suicide attempts have also been reported from the state, a PTI report said on Tuesday.
A 65-year-old painter from Singanallur complained of chest pain while watching news on the deteriorating health of the deceased All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief. He died before being taken to hospital, police told the news agency. In another incident, 62-year-old Palaniyammal, the AIADMK general secretary for NGO Colony in Coimbatore, died of a shock-induced stroke after she heard that Jayalalithaa had suffered cardiac arrest on Sunday, reported India Today. Another person collapsed while watching news on Jayalalithaa’s health condition, and was declared dead on arrival by 108 emergency crew.
Grief-stricken supporters were seen wailing on Monday outside Apollo Hospital in Chennai where the deceased chief minister was admitted since September 22. A bandh-like situation prevailed in the state with shops being shut and public transport services being off the road since Tuesday morning.
Jayalalithaa’s body was kept at Rajaji Hall on Tuesday where her followers gathered in thousands to pay homage to their Amma, as she was called by her supporters. The Tamil Nadu government has declared Tuesday as a state holiday and educational institutions have been asked to remain closed for the next three days as a mark of respect for the leader.
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