Jayalalitha Jeyaram passes away

Jayalalitha Jeyaram passes away

The fact that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jeyaram (68) passed away close upon midnight at about 11.30 was flashed across the Indian media. Though certain news clips of India announced that she had died on the eve of Monday were false, later Appollo Hospital itself confirmed that she had passed away in the night.

The cause of death has been notified as a sudden heart attack. She was in hospital for a period of 73

days from September 22nd and finally met with death in this manner. On hearing this news thousands of her supporters thronged near the hospital and a police battalion comprising 15,000 were deployed to control these supporters. Crowds who had turned aggressive had even attacked the police guardpost, it was reported. O. Pannirselvam who functions as the Minister of Trade in Tamil Nadu has been nominated as the next Chief Minister. A period of mourning for a week has been declared on behalf of her in Tamil Nadu Province.

Jayalalitha who assumed the position of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 6 occasions was an old cinema actress. She remained a spinster until her moment of death. Though she was the Chief Minister of South Indian region closest to Sri Lanka she had extended her support only to the Tamils in Sri Lanka and there were criticisms against her in that connection. Having provided land space for training sessions of the Tiger Movement and for permitting them to get organised she had paved the way for a disturbing attitude for a period of time blocking procedures for Sri Lanka to curb the terrorists.

Her body has been taken to Rajaji Hall in Chennai this morning Tuesday for the public to pay their last respects. The final rites is expected to be performed this evening.