Tamil Nadu announces 7-day mourning after Jayalalithaa’s death

The Tamil Nadu government announced a seven-day State Mourning starting on Tuesday after the demise of chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

The Tamil Nadu government announced a seven-day State Mourning starting on Tuesday after the demise of chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

AIADMK workers gather at Apollo Hospitals, where Jayalalithaa was undergoing treatment after suffering cardiac arrest in Chennai. (V Srinivasulu/HT File Photo)

During the period, the national flag on all government buildings will be flown at half-mast. No official entertainment will also be held during this period, chief secretary P Rama Mohana Rao said in a notification.

“The government of Tamil Nadu announce with profound regret, the demise of Selvi J Jayalalithaa, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at 11.30pm on Monday, Dec 5, 2016. State Mourning will be observed for seven days from 6.12.16, during which period the national flag on all government buildings will be flown at half-mast. No official entertainment will also be held during this period,” it said.

The government also declared a three-day holiday for all educational institutions in the state.

The neighbouring Union Territory of Puducherry announced a holiday for all government offices and educational institutions on Tuesday as a mark of respect to Jayalalithaa.