Bidar, Sept. 28 -- Calling it an "unfortunate" incident, Karnataka Minister Sharan Prakash on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Karur stampede that claimed 40 lives and injured several.

Speaking to ANI, Sharan Prakash said, "This is a very unfortunate incident... The government should issue standard operating procedures and some guidelines for conducting huge programmes so such incidents don't happen in future..."

The death toll due to a stampede at actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur on Saturday evening for his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party has risen to 40.

Karur Collector M Thangavel confirmed on Sunday that at least 40 people died in the incident. The state government announced immediate relief measures...